Integrated frequency translation and selectivity

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatuses for frequency selectivity and frequency translation, and applications for such methods and apparatuses, are described herein. The method includes steps of filtering an input signal, and down-converting the filtered input signal. The filtering and the down-conversion operations are performed in an integrated, unified manner. The apparatus described herein can be implemented as an integrated circuit (IC).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

The following applications of common assignee are related to the presentapplication, have the same filing date as the present application, andare herein incorporated by reference in their entireties:

"Method and System for Down-Converting Electromagnetic Signals,"Attorney Docket No. 1744.0010000.

"Method and System for Frequency Up-Conversion," Attorney Docket No.1744.0020000.

"Method and System for Ensuring Reception of a Communications Signal,"Attorney Docket No. 1744.0030000.

"Universal Frequency Translation, and Applications of Same," AttorneyDocket No. 1744.0140000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally related to methods and apparatusesfor frequency translation and frequency selectivity.

2. Related Art

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example conventional receiver 112. FIG.2 is a flowchart representing the operation of the receiver 112.

In step 206, a band-select filter 102 filters an RF (radio frequency)spectrum 114. An example RF spectrum 114 is shown in FIG. 4A. The RFspectrum 114 includes signal components at frequencies f₁, f₂, f₃, andf₄. Assume, for purposes of example, that the receiver 112 is configuredto receive signals at frequency f₃.

Typically, the band-select filter 102 is a wide-band filter. Thecharacteristics of the band-select filter 102 are generally illustratedin FIG. 4B. The band-select filter 102 has a center frequency f_(c), anda band-select bandwidth 402. In the example shown in FIG. 1, where thereceiver 112 is receiving an RF spectrum 114, the center frequency f_(c)of the band-select filter 102 is within the RF range. For example, thecenter frequency f_(c) may be 900 MHZ. Depending on the application, theband-select bandwidth 402 may be as much as 50 MHz, or greater. In theexample where the center frequency f_(c) is 900 MHZ and the band-selectbandwidth 402 is 50 MHZ, the passband (i.e., the band of frequenciesthat pass through a filter with little loss, relative to frequenciesoutside of the band) of the band-select filter 102 is 875 Mhz to 925MHz. According to these specifications, the quality factor of theband-select filter 102, or Q, is equal to 18 (as described furtherbelow, Q is equal to the center frequency divided by the bandwidth, or900 MHz÷50 Mhz in this example). This Q factor is typical for aband-pass filter operating at RF. In fact, generally, high Q factors athigh frequencies are difficult to realize using conventional filtertechniques, and have at best limited tuning capabilities.

The band-select filter 102 in step 206 operates to filter out signalsoutside its passband. For example purposes, assume that f₁ and f₄ areoutside the passband of the band-select filter 102, and f₂ and f₃ areinside the passband of the band-select filter 102 (this is the case inthe example of FIGS. 4A and 4B). Accordingly, in this example, theband-select filter 102 operates to filter out the signal components atfrequencies f₁ and f₄. The band-select filter 102 passes the signalcomponents at frequencies f₂ and f₃. The result of the operation of theband-select filter 102 is shown in FIG. 4C.

In steps 208 and 210, the signal output by the band-select filter 102(herein called the band-select filtered spectrum 408 for referencepurposes) is processed by a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 104 and a mixer106. The LNA 104 operates to amplify the band-select filtered spectrum408, and the mixer 106 operates to down-convert the band-select filteredspectrum 408 in a well known manner.

Both the LNA 104 and the mixer 106 have limited dynamic ranges overwhich their operation is linear. Outside of these ranges, the LNA 104and the mixer 106 exhibit non-linear operation. The broader the bandselect filter 102 (i.e., the wider the pass band), the more energy isable to reach the LNA 104 and the mixer 106. Consequently, the broaderthe band select filter 102, the greater the chance that the respectivedynamic ranges of the LNA 104 and the mixer 106 will be exceeded. Forpurposes of example, assume that the signal component 420 at frequencyf₃ combined with the undesired signal component 421 at frequency f₂exceed the linear ranges of the LNA 104 and the mixer 106 (this is acommon practical example).

When operating on a signal that is outside their linear ranges (i.e.,when operating in a non-linear manner), the LNA 104 and/or the mixer 106generate spurious signal components. In the given example, whenoperating on the signal components 420 and 421, the LNA 104 and/or themixer 106 generate spurious signal components 404. See FIG. 4D. Some ofthese spurious components 404 may coincide and interfere with signals atdesired frequencies. For example, as noted above, the receiver 112 istuned to receive signals at frequency f₃ (in the example of FIGS. 4A-4G,frequency f₇ corresponds to f₃ after downconversion; similarly,frequency f₆ corresponds to f₂ after downconversion).

In the process of operating on the signal components 420 and 421, theLNA 104 and/or the mixer 106 generate a spurious signal component 404Cat frequency f₇. This spurious component 404C coincides with the desiredsignal component 420 at frequency f₇. This spurious component 404Cinterferes with the desired signal component 420.

In step 212, a channel-select filter 108 filters the signal generated bythe LNA 104 and the mixer 106 (this signal is herein called theprocessed spectrum 410 for reference purposes). The characteristics ofthe channel-select filter 108 are generally shown in FIG. 4E. Thechannel-select filter 108 has a center frequency at frequency f₇ and achannel-select bandwidth 406. The center frequency f₇ of the channelselect filter 108 is at a lower frequency than the center frequency ofthe band select filter 102. For example, the center frequency f₇ of thechannel select filter 108 may be 10 MHZ. Depending on the application,the channel-select bandwidth 406 may be, for example, 50 KHz. Accordingto these specifications, the quality factor of the channel-select filter108, or Q, is equal to 200 (as indicated above, and described furtherbelow, Q is equal to the center frequency divided by the bandwidth, or10 MHz÷50 KHz in this example). This Q factor is typical for anarrowband band-pass filter operating at IF (intermediate frequency). Asthis example illustrates, it is possible to realize higher Q factors atlower frequencies using conventional filter techniques.

As shown in FIG. 4F, the effect of the channel-select filter 108 in step212 is to filter-out the signal component at frequency f₆ and spuriouscomponents 404A, 404B, and 404D, but to pass any signals at frequencyf₇. Both the desired signal component 420 and the spurious component404C exist at frequency f₇, and are within the passband of thechannel-select filter 108. Thus, both the desired signal component 420and the spurious component 404C are passed by the channel-select filter108.

In step 214, an amplifier 110 amplifies the signal output from thechannel-select filter 108 (this signal is called the channel selectfiltered signal 412 for reference purposes). The channel select filteredsignal 412 includes both the desired signal component 420 and thespurious component 404C. Consequently, the amplifier 110 amplifies boththe desired signal component 420 and the spurious component 404C.

In other words, once the spurious component 404C is generated, itfollows the desired signal component 420 in all downstream processing.

As noted above, the spurious signal component 404C may make it difficultif not impossible to properly receive the desired signal component 420.Accordingly, because the receiver 112 utilized a wide-band, band-selectfilter 102 prior to amplification and frequency translation bynon-linear components (i.e., by the LNA 104 and the mixer 106,respectively), the receiver 112 suffers from potentially degradedperformance. The potential for signal interference as described abovelimits the receiver 112's applicability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses forfrequency selectivity and frequency translation. The invention is alsodirected to applications for such methods and apparatuses.

Briefly stated, the invention operates to filter an input signal, and todown-convert the filtered input signal. According to embodiments of thepresent invention, the filtering operation and the down-conversionoperation are performed in an integrated, unified manner.

According to embodiments of the invention, the filtering operation iseffectively performed prior to the down-conversion operation. Thus, thefrequency selectivity operation performed by the present inventionrepresents input filtering, such as but not limited to front endfiltering.

In embodiments of the invention, a relatively high Q factor can berealized regardless of center frequency.

In embodiments of the invention, the input signal is an RF signal. Thus,the frequency selectivity operation performed by the present inventionrepresents relatively high Q RF filtering.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention preferably perform front end,narrowband filtering at RF, followed by frequency down-conversion.

In other words, embodiments of the invention provide precise frequencyselectivity at high frequencies. Also, the invention provides forfrequency down-conversion.

It is noted that the invention is not limited to the embodimentssummarized in this section. The embodiments summarized in this section,as well as other embodiments, are described below.

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, aredescribed in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.The drawing in which an element first appears is typically indicated bythe leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional receiver;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart representing the operation of the conventionalreceiver of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an operational map of the conventional receiver ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A-4G are waveforms used to illustrate the operation of theconventional receiver of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is used to illustrate the manner in which a filter's qualityfactor is calculated;

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate characteristics of different types of filters;

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate different types of modulation schemes;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a receiver and functions that are performedby the receiver;

FIG. 9 is an operational map of a receiver according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A-10E are waveforms used to describe the operational map of FIG.9;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a unified downconverting and filtering(UDF) module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the UDF module of FIG. 11, wherein theunified performance of the frequency selectivity operation and thefrequency translation operation according to the present invention isdepicted;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the UDF module of FIG. 11, wherein it isillustrated that operations related to the frequency translationoperation are performed prior to operations relating to the frequencyselectivity operation, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart depicting the operation of the unifieddownconverting and filtering (UDF) module according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 15 is a table illustrating example values at nodes within anexample UDF module (shown in FIG. 26) at consecutive time increments;

FIG. 16 is a more detailed operational flowchart of the unifieddownconverting and filtering (UDF) operations performed by embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 17 is a more detailed block diagram of an example UDF moduleaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 is an operational flowchart of the unified downconverting andfiltering (UDF) operations performed by embodiments of the invention,wherein the filtering operation comprises a band-pass filteringoperation;

FIG. 19 is an example implementation of the operational steps of FIG.18;

FIG. 20 is a table representing example values in nodes of the UDFmodule of FIG. 19 at consecutive time increments;

FIG. 21 is an example block diagram of an example filter;

FIG. 22 is an operational flowchart of the unified downconverting andfiltering (UDF) operations performed by embodiments of the invention,wherein the filtering operation comprises a low-pass filteringoperation;

FIG. 23 is an example UDF module useful for implementing the steps ofthe flowchart in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an example midpointinjection embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is an example UDF module useful for performing the operationalsteps of the flowchart of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is an example implementation of the UDF module according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are used to illustrate the filter characteristics ofthe UDF module of FIG. 26;

FIGS. 28A-28F and 29A-29F are waveforms used to illustrate the operationof the UDF module of FIG. 26;

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of an example receiver according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 31 is a flowchart representing the operation of the receiver ofFIG. 30 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 32 illustrates an example switched capacitor used to implement thedelay modules in an example UDF module according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 33A and 33B illustrate a clock signal having two phases, φ1 and φ₂;

FIG. 34 illustrates an example analog delay line used to implement thedelay modules of an example UDF module according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 35 illustrates a resistor attenuater used to implement the scalingmodules in an example UDF module according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 36 illustrates an example resistor attenuater;

FIG. 37 illustrates an example amplifier capable of implementing thescaling module in an example UDF module according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 38 illustrates an example resistive summer capable of implementingthe summer/adder in an example UDF module according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 39 illustrates an example resistive summer;

FIG. 40 illustrates an example OPAMP (operational amplifier) summercapable of implementing the summer/adder in an example UDF moduleaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 41 illustrates an example OPAMP summer;

FIG. 42 illustrates an example control signal generator according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 43A-43D illustrate signals present at nodes in the control signalgenerator of FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 illustrates an operational map of an example UDF moduleaccording to an alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 45 is used to illustrate the operation of a sample and hold circuitaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 46 is a flowchart representing an example operation of the sampleand hold circuits shown in FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is a table indicating example values present at nodes in thesample and hold circuits of FIG. 45;

FIG. 48 illustrates an example bi-phase clock signal used to controlswitches in the sample and hold circuits of FIG. 45;

FIG. 49 is a flowchart depicting the manner in which a UDF module isdesigned according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 50 is a more detailed flowchart depicting the manner in which a UDFmodule is designed according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 51 illustrates an example table of transform expressions that canbe used when designing a UDF module according to embodiments of theinvention;

FIGS. 52A-52F illustrate example applications of the UDF moduleaccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 53A and 53A-1 illustrate example aliasing modules according to anembodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 53B-53F illustrate example waveforms used to describe theoperation of the aliasing modules of FIGS. 53A and 53A-1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Table of Contents

1 Terminology

1.1 Filters

1.2 Other Terms

2 Overview of the Invention

3 Unified Downconverting and Filtering

3.1 Conceptual Description

3.2 High Level Description

3.2.1 Operational Description

3.2.2 Structural Description

3.3 Example Embodiments

3.3.1 First Embodiment: Band Pass Filtering and Frequency Translation

3.3.1.1 Operational Description

3.3.1.2 Structural Description

3.3.2 Second Embodiment: Low Pass Filtering and Frequency Translation

3.3.2.1 Operational Description

3.3.2.2 Structural Description

3.3.3 Third Embodiment: Filtering With Mid-Point Injection and FrequencyTranslation

3.3.3.1 Operational Description

3.3.3.2 Structural Description

3.3.4 Other Embodiments

3.4 Implementation Examples

3.4.1 Implementation Example of a Unified Downconverting and Filtering(UDF) Module

3.4.2 Implementation Examples of Components of the UDF Module

3.4.2.1 Downconvert and Delay Module

3.4.2.1.1 Universal frequency down-conversion (UFD) Module

3.4.2.2 Delay Modules

3.4.2.3 Scaling Modules

3.4.2.4 Adder

3.4.2.5 Control Signal Generator

3.4.2.6 Output Sample and Hold Module

3.4.2.7 Output Smoothing Module

3.4.2.8 Mid-Point Injection Embodiment: High Frequency Delay Module

3.4.2.9 Mid-Point Injection Embodiment: Optional Filter

3.4.2.10 Mid-Point Injection Embodiment: Downconvert Module

3.4.2.11 Mid-Point Injection Embodiment: Upconvert Module

3.4.3 Implementing the UDF Module as an Integrated Circuit (IC)

3.4.4 Other Implementations

4 Designing a Unified Downconverting and Filtering (UDF) Module

5 Adjustable UDF Module

6 Amplification

7 Example Applications

7.1 Receiver

7.2 Other Application Examples

8 Conclusion

1 Terminology

Various terms and concepts used in this application are generallydescribed in this section. The description in this section is providedfor illustrative and convenience purposes only, and is not limiting. Themeaning of these terms and concepts will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art(s) based on the entirety of the teachings providedherein.

1.1 Filters

A filter is a device that allows electromagnetic signals of specificfrequencies to pass with little attentuation. More particularly, afilter passes signals inside a frequency range (called a passband) withlittle attentuation. The filter does not pass signals outside of thepassband (i.e., the filter attentuates signals outside of the passband).

There are a number of different types of filters. These include, forexample, low-pass filters, high-pass filters, band-pass filters, notchfilters, etc. The characteristics of these filters are generallyillustrated in FIGS. 6A-6D.

There are many transfer functions for characterizing the operation offilters. For example, and without limitation, the following biquadraticequation represents the transfer function of a second order filter.##EQU1##

Often, the β₂ coefficient is factored out in order to solve for z². Aswill be appreciated, doing so merely results in changing the values ofother coefficients. Without any loss of generality, EQ. 1 is re-writtenbelow with β₂ factored out (for ease of illustration, the effect offiltering out β₂ on the other coefficients of EQ. 1 is not explicitlyindicated in the following): ##EQU2##

It is noted that the invention is not limited to second order filters(the invention is applicable to filters of other orders), or to EQ. 1for second order filters.

A well known conceptual block diagram implementation of this biquadraticequation is shown in FIG. 21. The z⁻¹ designation in FIG. 21 designatesa unit delay operation (that is, a z⁻¹ module delays an input signal byone time unit).

The biquadratic equation of EQ. 1 applies to second order filter types.The transfer function for a particular type of second order filter(low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch, etc.) can be obtained from thebiquadratic equation of EQ. 1 by appropriately setting the values of thecoefficients. For example, a transfer function of a band-pass filter canbe obtained from the biquadratic equation of EQ. 1 by setting α₂ and α₀to zero. The resulting transfer function, representing the operation ofa band-pass filter, is as follows: ##EQU3##

Solving for VO yields the following:

    VO=α.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VI-β.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VO-β.sub.0 z.sup.-2 VO                                                        EQ. 3

In the above, the value z equals the following: ##EQU4##

In EQ. 4, f is the frequency, and F_(s) is the sample frequency of thesystem.

An example transfer function of a low-pass filter can be obtained fromthe biquadratic equation of EQ. 1 by setting α₂ and α₁ equal to zero.The resulting transfer function, corresponding to a low-pass filter, isas follows: ##EQU5##

Solving for VO yields the following:

    VO=α.sub.0 z.sup.-2 VI-β.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VO-β.sub.0 z.sup.-2 VO                                                        EQ. 6

Transfer functions for other types of filters, such as (and withoutlimitation) high-pass filters and notch filters, can be obtained in asimilar manner from the biquadratic equation of EQ. 1.

It should be noted that the transfer functions provided above are notthe only representations of a band-pass filter and a low-pass filter.Multiple transfer functions for filter types can be obtained viadifferent combinations of coefficient values in the biquadratic of EQ.1, or via use of base equations other than the biquadratic of EQ. 1.

There are a number of measures for characterizing the performance of afilter. For example, and without limitation, the performance of a secondorder band-pass filter is often measured by its quality factor, or Q.FIG. 5 illustrates the manner in which Q is calculated for a secondorder filter. Q is equal to the center frequency f_(c) of the filterdivided by the bandwidth BW of the filter. The bandwidth BW is measuredat a point 3 DB below the maximum amplitude of the filter. Therefore, ifa filter operates at a center frequency f_(c) of 1 MHz, and has abandwidth BW of 50 KHz, the Q of the filter is ##EQU6##

1.2 Other Terms

Various terms used in this application are generally described in thissection. The description in this section is provided for illustrativeand convenience purposes only, and is not limiting. The meaning of theseterms will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) basedon the entirety of the teachings provided herein. These terms may bediscussed throughout the specification with additional detail.

Amplitude Modulation (AM): A modulation technique wherein the amplitudeof the carrier signal is shifted (i.e., varied) as a function of theinformation signal. A subset of AM is referred to as "amplitude shiftkeying" which is used primarily for digital communications where theamplitude of the carrier signal shifts between discrete states ratherthan varying continuously as it does for analog information.

Analog signal: A signal that is constant or continuously variable ascontrasted to changes between discrete states.

Baseband: A frequency band occupied by any generic information signaldesired for transmission and/or reception.

Baseband signal: Any generic information signal desired for transmissionand/or reception.

Carrier frequency: The frequency of a carrier signal. Typically, it isthe center frequency of a transmission signal that is generallymodulated.

Carrier signal: An EM wave having at least one characteristic that maybe varied by modulation, that is capable of carrying information viamodulation.

Control a switch: Causing a switch to open and close. The switch may be,without limitation, mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, etc.,or any combination thereof.

Demodulation: The process of removing or extracting information from acarrier signal.

Digital signal: A signal in which the information contained therein isdiscrete as contrasted to continuous.

Direct down conversion: A down conversion technique wherein atransmitted signal is directly down converted from the transmittedfrequency (i.e., a carrier frequency) to the baseband signal withouthaving an intermediate frequency.

Down conversion: A process for performing frequency translation in whichthe final frequency is lower than the initial frequency.

Electromagnetic spectrum: A spectrum comprising waves characterized byvariations in electric and magnetic fields. Such waves may be propagatedin any communication medium, both natural and manmade, including but notlimited to air, space, wire, cable, liquid, waveguide, microstrip,stripline, optical fiber, etc. The EM spectrum includes all frequenciesgreater than zero hertz.

EM signal: A signal in the EM spectrum. Also generally called an EMwave. Unless stated otherwise, all signals discussed herein are EMsignals, even when not explicitly designated as such.

Frequency Modulation (FM): A modulation technique wherein the frequencyof the carrier signal is shifted (i.e., varied) as a function of theinformation signal. A subset of FM is referred to as "frequency shiftkeying" which is used primarily for digital communications where thefrequency of the carrier signal shifts between discrete states ratherthan varying continuously as it does for analog information.

Harmonic: A harmonic is a sinusoidal component of a periodic wave. Ithas a frequency that is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequencyof the periodic wave. In other words, if the periodic waveform has afundamental frequency of "f" (also called the first harmonic), then ithas harmonics at frequencies of "n·f," where "n" is 2, 3, 4, etc. Theharmonic corresponding to n=2 is referred to as the second harmonic, theharmonic corresponding to n=3 is referred to as the third harmonic, andso on.

Information signal: The signal that contains the information that is tobe transmitted. As used herein, it refers to the original basebandsignal at the source. When it is intended that the information signalmodulate a carrier signal, it is also referred to as the "modulatingbaseband signal." It may be voice or data, analog or digital, or anyother signal or combination thereof.

Intermediate frequency (IF) signal: A signal that is at a frequencybetween the frequency of the baseband signal and the frequency of thetransmitted signal.

Modulation: The process of varying one or more physical characteristicsof a signal to represent the information to be transmitted. Threecommonly used modulation techniques are frequency modulation, phasemodulation, and amplitude modulation. There are also variations,subsets, and combinations of these three techniques.

Phase Modulation (PM): A modulation technique wherein the phase of thecarrier signal is shifted (i.e., varied) as a function of theinformation signal. A subset of PM is referred to as "phase shiftkeying" which is used primarily for digital communications where thephase of the carrier signal shifts between discrete states rather thanvarying continuously as it does for analog information.

Subharmonic: A subharmonic of a periodic waveform is a sinusoidal wavehaving a frequency that is an integer submultiple of the fundamentalfrequency of that periodic waveform. That is, a subharmonic frequency isthe quotient obtained by dividing the fundamental frequency by aninteger. For example, if the periodic waveform has a frequency of "f"(also called the fundamental), then its subharmonics have frequencies of"f/n," where n is 2, 3, 4, etc. The subharmonic corresponding to n=2 isreferred to as the second subharmonic, the subharmonic corresponding ton=3 is referred to as the third subharmonic, and so on. A subharmonicitself has harmonics, and the i^(th) harmonic of the i^(th) subharmonicwill be at the fundamental frequency of the original periodic waveform.For example, the third subharmonic (which has a frequency of "f/3"), hasharmonics at integer multiples of itself (i.e., a second harmonic at"2·f/3," a third harmonic at "3·f/3," and so on). The third harmonic ofthe third subharmonic of the original signal (i.e., "3·f/3") is at thefrequency of the original signal.

Up conversion: A process for performing frequency translation in whichthe final frequency is higher than the initial frequency.

2 Overview of the Invention

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses forfrequency selectivity and frequency translation. The invention is alsodirected to applications for such methods and apparatuses.

According to the present invention, frequency selectivity and frequencytranslation are performed as a single unified (i.e., integrated)operation. By performing frequency selectivity and translation as asingle unified operation, the invention achieves high frequencyselectivity prior to frequency translation. The invention achieves highfrequency selectivity at any input frequency (the input frequency refersto the frequency of the input spectrum being filtered and translated),including but not limited to RF (radio frequency) and greaterfrequencies. It should be understood that the invention is not limitedto this example of RF and greater frequencies. The invention isintended, adapted, and capable of working with lower than radiofrequencies.

Understanding of the invention may be facilitated by considering theoperation of a receiver. Generally, a receiver 802 performs threeprimary functions: frequency translation 808, frequency selection 810,and amplification 812. See FIG. 8. In the conventional receiver 112 ofFIG. 1, for example, the mixer 106 performs the frequency translationoperation; the band select filter 102 and the channel select filter 108collectively perform the frequency selection operation; and the LNA 104and the amplifier 110 collectively perform the amplification operation.

In the conventional receiver 112, note that the band select filter 102is positioned prior to the mixer 106, and the channel select filter 108is positioned after the mixer 106. Thus, in the conventional receiver112, only a portion of the frequency selection operation 810 isperformed prior to the frequency translation operation 808.Specifically, only band select filtering (i.e., wideband or image rejectfiltering) is performed prior to the frequency translation operation810; channel select filtering (i.e., narrowband filtering) is performedafter the frequency translation operation 808. This operational map ofthe conventional receiver 112 is illustrated in FIG. 3.

As described above, in the conventional receiver 112, signal componentsat frequencies near the desired frequency are not filtered out by theband select filter 102. This is because the bandwidth of the band selectfilter 102 is wide (specifically, the bandwidth of the band selectfilter 102 is greater than the bandwidth of the channel select filter108). These signal components can exceed the dynamic range of the systemand cause the LNA 104 and/or the mixer 106 to generate spurious signalcomponents that may interfere with other signal components at desiredfrequencies (see FIGS. 4A-4G). Thus, the conventional receiver 112suffers from potentially degraded performance because only band selector wideband filtering is performed prior to the frequency translationoperation 808 or other operations (such as the amplification operation812) that involve components having a limited linear range (such as themixer 106 and the LNA 104).

What would be desired is a receiver 902 having an operational map asshown in FIG. 9. In the receiver 902 of FIG. 9, preferably filtering(shown as the frequency selectivity operation 906 in FIG. 9) with arelatively narrow bandwidth (such as channel select filtering) isperformed prior to the frequency translation operation 908 and theamplification operation 910. The advantages of the functionalarrangement of the receiver 902 shall be considered with reference toFIGS. 10A-10E.

FIG. 10A illustrates an example input spectrum 904 having signalcomponents at frequencies f₁, f₂, f₃, and f₄. Input spectrum 904 is, forexample, an RF spectrum. Assume, for purposes of example, that thereceiver 902 is tuned to receive signals at frequency f₃. In thereceiver 902, the frequency selectivity operation 906 is first performedon the input spectrum 904. In the example receiver 902, this frequencyselectivity operation 906 comprises channel select filtering. Thecharacteristics of such filtering is generally illustrated in FIG. 10B,where the filter (that is performing the frequency selectivity operation906) is centered at frequency f₃ and has a channel select bandwidth1002.

In the case where the input spectrum 904 is an RF spectrum, the centerfrequency f₃ is also an RF frequency. For purposes of example, assumethat the center frequency f₃ is 900 MHZ. Preferably, the channel selectbandwidth 1002 is consistent with that of a narrow band filter. Forexample and without limitation, the channel select bandwidth 1002 may be50 KHz, such that the passband associated with the frequency selectivityoperation 906 is 899.95 MHZ to 900.05 MHz. Accordingly, the frequencyselectivity operation 906 of the receiver 902 represents a front end,narrow band filtering operation operating at RF. The Q of this filter is900 MHZ divided by 50 KHZ, or 18,000. Thus, with the present invention,filters with high Q factors at high frequencies are realizable.

The frequency selectivity operation 906 operates to filter out signalcomponents not falling within the passband associated with the frequencyselectivity operation 906. For purposes of example, assume that thesignal component at frequency f₃ falls within this passband, but thesignal components at f₁, f₂, and f₄ fall outside this passband (this isthe example shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B). Accordingly, only the signalcomponent at frequency f₃ is passed by the frequency selectivityoperation 906. This signal component at frequency f₃ is referred to asthe filtered spectrum 914 for reference purposes.

In the receiver 902 of FIG. 9, the frequency translation operation 908and the amplification operation 910 follow the frequency selectivityoperation 906. Because of the operation of the frequency selectivityoperation 906, these operations 908, 910 operate on only the signalcomponent at frequency f₃. Other signal components (that is, the signalcomponents at frequencies f₁, f₂, and f₄) were filtered out by thefrequency selectivity operation 906 and, thus, these signal componentsare not processed by the frequency translation operation 908 or theamplification operation 910.

When the frequency translation operation 908 and the amplificationoperation 910 operate on the filtered signal 914, spurious componentsdue to other than the filtered signal 914 are not generated. The resultof the frequency translation operation 908 is depicted in FIG. 10D, andthe result of the amplification operation 910 is depicted in FIG. 10E.Note that the desired output signal 912 shown in FIG. 10E is notcompromised by spurious signal components.

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for unifieddown-converting and filtering (UDF). The invention preferably performsat least the frequency selectivity operation 906 and the frequencytranslation operation 908. According to embodiments of the presentinvention, the frequency selectivity operation 906 performed by thepresent invention comprises filtering at any frequency, such as RF orgreater. Such filtering is effectively performed prior to performance ofthe frequency translation operation 908, as shown in FIG. 9.Accordingly, the present invention exhibits the advantages describedabove with reference to FIGS. 10A-10E.

In some embodiments, the filter bandwidth of the present invention isconsistent with narrow band filtering. Thus, the present invention canbe accurately characterized as performing a narrow band filteringoperation. In other embodiments, depending on the application, thefilter bandwidth of the present invention is consistent with wide bandfiltering. Thus, the present invention can be accurately characterizedas performing a wide band filtering operation. However, it should beunderstood that such characterizations of the invention are providedherein for illustrative purposes only. The filtering capabilities of theinvention are not limited to those filter bandwidths typicallyassociated with "narrow band filtering" and "wide band filtering."Instead, the unified down-converting and filtering (UDF) functionalityof the present invention can be designed with substantially any filterbandwidth. The present invention is intended, adapted, and capable offiltering using substantially any filter bandwidth.

As noted above, the invention is capable of operating with inputelectromagnetic signals having frequencies equal to RF and above. Inthese embodiments, the invention operates to filter and downconvert atRF and greater frequencies. However, it should be understood that theinvention is not limited to operation at RF and above. Instead, theinvention is intended, adapted, and capable of working withsubstantially any frequency.

The invention is operable with any communication medium, including butnot limited to wireless, optical, wire, etc., and variations andcombinations thereof.

Signals referred to herein may be modulated or unmodulated. Modulatedsignals may have been generated using any modulation scheme, such as AM,FM, PM, etc., or combinations thereof. See, for example and withoutlimitation, various modulation examples shown in FIGS. 7A-7C.

The invention is described in detail below.

3 Unified Downconverting and Filtering

The following sections describe operational methods for unifieddown-converting and filtering (UDF) according to embodiments of theinvention. Structural exemplary embodiments for achieving these methodsare also described. It should be understood that the invention is notlimited to the particular embodiments described below. Equivalents,extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of the following will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein. Such equivalents, extensions, variations,deviations, etc., are within the scope and spirit of the presentinvention.

3.1 Conceptual Description

The present invention is conceptually described in this section.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual block diagram of a unified down-converting andfiltering (UDF) module 1102 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The UDF module 1102 performs at least the frequencytranslation operation 908 and the frequency selectivity operation 906(FIG. 9).

The effect achieved by the UDF module 1102 is to perform the frequencyselectivity operation 906 prior to the performance of the frequencytranslation operation 908. Thus, the UDF module 1102 effectivelyperforms input filtering.

According to embodiments of the present invention, such input filteringinvolves a relatively narrow bandwidth. For example, such inputfiltering may represent channel select filtering, where the filterbandwidth may be, for example, 50 KHz to 150 KHz. It should beunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to thesefrequencies. The invention is intended, adapted, and capable ofachieving filter bandwidths of less than and greater than these values.

In embodiments of the invention, input signals 1104 received by the UDFmodule 1102 are at radio frequencies. The UDF module 1102 effectivelyoperates to input filter these RF input signals 1104. Specifically, inthese embodiments, the UDF module 1102 effectively performs input,channel select filtering of the RF input signal 1104. Accordingly, theinvention achieves high selectivity at high frequencies.

The UDF module 1102 effectively performs various types of filtering,including but not limited to bandpass filtering, low pass filtering,high pass filtering, notch filtering, all pass filtering, band stopfiltering, etc., and combinations thereof.

Conceptually, the UDF module 1102 includes a frequency translator 1108.The frequency translator 1108 conceptually represents that portion ofthe UDF module 1102 that performs frequency translation (downconversion).

The UDF module 1102 also conceptually includes an apparent input filter1106 (also sometimes called an input filtering emulator). Conceptually,the apparent input filter 1106 represents that portion of the UDF module1102 that performs input filtering.

In practice, the input filtering operation performed by the UDF module1102 is integrated with the frequency translation operation. The inputfiltering operation can be viewed as being performed concurrently withthe frequency translation operation. This is a reason why the inputfilter 1106 is herein referred to as an "apparent" input filter 1106.

The UDF module 1102 of the present invention includes a number ofadvantages. For example, high selectivity at high frequencies isrealizable using the UDF module 1102. This feature of the invention isevident by the high Q factors that are attainable. For example, andwithout limitation, the UDF module 1102 can be designed with a filtercenter frequency f_(c) on the order of 900 MHz, and a filter bandwidthon the order of 50 KHz. This represents a Q of 18,000, as indicatedbelow. ##EQU7##

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to filterswith high Q factors. The filters contemplated by the present inventionmay have lesser or greater Qs, depending on the application, design,and/or implementation. Also, the scope of the invention includes filterswhere Q factor as described herein is not applicable.

The invention exhibits additional advantages. For example, the filteringcenter frequency f_(c) of the UDF module 1102 can be electricallyadjusted, either statically or dynamically.

Also, the UDF module 1102 can be designed to amplify input signals.

Further, the UDF module 1102 can be implemented without large resistors,capacitors, or inductors. Also, the UDF module 1102 does not requirethat high tolerances be maintained on its individual components, i.e.,its resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc. As a result, the architectureof the UDF module 1102 is friendly to integrated circuit designtechniques and processes.

These and other advantages of the UDF module 1102 of the presentinvention will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s)based on the discussion contained herein.

Further understanding of the UDF module 1102 may be facilitated bymaking a comparison with the conventional receiver 112 (FIGS. 1 and 3).The frequency selectivity operations 302, 308 performed by theconventional receiver 112 are distinct from the frequency translationoperation 306 (see FIG. 3). More particularly, the components whichperform the frequency selectivity operation 302, 308 (that is, theband-select filter 102 and the channel-select filter 108) are differentfrom the component that performs the frequency translation operation 306(that is, the mixer 106).

The features and advantages exhibited by the UDF module 1102 areachieved at least in part by adopting a new technological paradigm withrespect to frequency selectivity and translation. Specifically,according to the present invention, the UDF module 1102 performs thefrequency selectivity operation and the frequency translation operationas a single, unified (integrated) operation. This is conceptuallyrepresented in FIG. 12, where the selectivity operation 1202 is shown asbeing combined or integrated with the frequency translation operation1204. This is also indicated via the dotted line representations of theapparent input filter 1106 and the frequency translator 1108 in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 13, as described above, the UDF module 1102 preferablyperforms frequency translation 1204 prior to frequency selectivity 1202(in other embodiments, the reverse is true). The overlapping area 1302depicted in FIG. 13 indicates that the operations relating to frequencytranslation 1204 also contribute to the performance of frequencyselectivity 1202, and/or vice versa.

3.2 High Level Description

This section (including its subsections) provides a high-leveldescription of unified down-converting and filtering (UDF) according tothe present invention. In particular, an operational process ofdown-converting and filtering is described at a high-level. Also, astructural implementation for achieving this process is described at ahigh-level. This structural implementation is described herein forillustrative purposes, and is not limiting. In particular, the processdescribed in this section can be achieved using any number of structuralimplementations, one of which is described in this section. The detailsof such structural implementations will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

3.2.1 Operational Description

According to embodiments of the present invention, the UDF modulegenerates an output signal from an input signal using samples/instancesof the input signal and samples/instances of the output signal. Thisoperation is represented by step 1406 in a flowchart 1402 (FIG. 14). Byoperating in this manner, the UDF module preferably performs inputfiltering and frequency down-conversion in a unified manner.

For illustrative purposes, the operation of the invention is oftenrepresented by flowcharts, such as flowchart 1402 in FIG. 14. It shouldbe understood, however, that the use of flowcharts is for illustrativepurposes only, and is not limiting. For example, the invention is notlimited to the operational embodiment(s) represented by the flowcharts.Instead, alternative operational embodiments will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion contained herein.Also, the use of flowcharts should not be interpreted as limiting theinvention to discrete or digital operation. In practice, as will beappreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theherein discussion, the invention can be achieved via discrete orcontinuous operation, or a combination thereof. Further, the flow ofcontrol represented by the flowcharts is provided for illustrativepurposes only. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevantart(s), other operational control flows are within the scope and spiritof the present invention. Also, the ordering of steps may differ invarious embodiments.

The operation of embodiments of the invention shall now be described ingreater detail with reference to a flowchart 1602 shown in FIG. 16. Thesteps of flowchart 1602 generally represent step 1406 in FIG. 14.

In step 1606, the input signal is sampled. This input sample includesinformation (such as amplitude, phase, etc.) representative of the inputsignal existing at the time the sample was taken.

As described further below, the effect of repetitively performing step1606 is to translate the frequency (that is, down-convert) of the inputsignal to a desired lower frequency, such as an intermediate frequency(IF) or baseband.

In step 1608, the input sample is held (that is, delayed).

In step 1610, one or more delayed input samples (some of which may havebeen scaled), such as the delayed input sample of step 1608, arecombined with one or more delayed instances of the output signal (someof which may have been scaled) to generate a current instance of theoutput signal.

Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outputsignal is generated from prior samples/instances of the input signaland/or the output signal. (It is noted that, in some embodiments of theinvention, current samples/instances of the input signal and/or theoutput signal may be used to generate current instances of the outputsignal.)

As noted above, this operation of the present invention supportsmultiple filtering types, including but not limited to bandpass, lowpass, high pass, notch, all pass, etc., and combinations thereof.

3.2.2 Structural Description

FIG. 17 illustrates a UDF module 1702 according to an embodiment of theinvention. The UDF module 1702 includes a portion that generallycorresponds to the frequency translator 1108 (FIG. 11). The UDF module1702 includes another portion that generally corresponds to the inputfilter 1106. Note that the portion of the UDF module 1702 thatcorresponds to the frequency translator 1108 also forms a part of theinput filter 1106. This further highlights the preferred aspect of theinvention that the frequency selectivity operation 1202 and thefrequency translation operation 1204 are performed as an integrated andunified operation.

Note that the UDF module 1702 includes scaling elements 1790. Theseelements are optional, and are used for amplification. The scalingelements 1790 are discussed in a section below. In the presentdiscussion, the scaling elements 1790 are not considered.

The operation of the UDF module 1702 shall now be described withreference to flowchart 1602 in FIG. 16.

In step 1606, a down-convert and delay module 1708 samples the inputsignal 1704. This sampling operation is performed in accordance with acontrol signal 1734A. The down-convert and delay module 1708, whenrepetitively performing step 1606, results in translating the frequencyof the input signal 1704 to a desired lower frequency, such as IF orbaseband. Accordingly, the down-convert and delay module 1708down-converts the input signal 1704 to a desired lower frequency.

In step 1608, the down-convert and delay module 1708 holds (delays) theinput sample. This delaying operation by the down-convert and delaymodule 1708 contributes to the performance of the frequency selectivityoperation 1202.

In step 1610, components of the UDF module 1702 operate to combine oneor more delayed input samples (some of which may have been scaled) withone or more delayed instances of the output signal 1706 (some of whichmay have been scaled) to generate a current instance of the outputsignal 1706. More particularly, delay modules 1710A, 1710B, etc.,operate to delay samples of the input signal 1704 taken by thedown-convert and delay module 1708 (although two delay modules 1710A,1710B are shown in the example of FIG. 17, the invention is not limitedto this embodiment). Scaling modules 1716A, 1716B, 1716C, etc. operateto scale these delayed input samples from the down-convert and delaymodule 1708 and the delay modules 1710A, 1710B, etc.

Delay modules 1722A, 1722B, 1722C, etc., operate to delay instances ofthe output signal 1706 (note that the output signal 1706 is present atboth nodes 1712 and 1718). (Although three delay modules 1722A-1722C areshown in the example of FIG. 17, the invention is not limited to thisembodiment.) Scaling modules 1724A, 1724B, 1724C, etc., operate to scalethese delayed instances of the output signal 1706 from the delay modules1722A, 1722B, 1722C, etc.

An adder 1720 operates to combine the delayed and scaled input samplesand the delayed and scaled instances of the output signal 1706 togenerate instances of the output signal 1706.

As noted above, different embodiments of the UDF module utilizedifferent numbers and/or configurations of delay modules 1710, 1722, anddifferent numbers and/or configurations of scaling modules 1716 and1724. Also, the operation of the delay modules 1710, 1722 and thescaling modules 1716, 1724 will vary among embodiments of the UDFmodule. For example, the amount of delay introduced by each delay module1710, 1722 will vary among embodiments of the UDF module. Also, thescale factors of scaling modules 1716, 1724 will vary among embodimentsof the UDF module (generally, the scale factor of each scaling module1716, 1724 may be any real number). For example, and without limitation,the scale factor of one or more scaling modules in some embodiments maybe zero. Accordingly, it should be understood that the embodiments ofthe UDF module shown and discussed herein are provided for illustrativepurposes only. The present invention is not limited to the embodimentsof the UDF module shown and discussed herein. Alternate embodiments ofthe UDF module, differing slightly or greatly from those shown anddiscussed herein, will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevantart(s) based on the discussion contained herein.

3.3 Example Embodiments

Various embodiments related to the method(s) and structure(s) describedabove are presented in this section (and its subsections). Theseembodiments are described herein for purposes of illustration, and notlimitation. The invention is not limited to these embodiments. Alternateembodiments (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations,etc., of the embodiments described herein) will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.The invention is intended and adapted to include such alternateembodiments.

3.3.1 First Embodiment: Band Pass Filtering and Frequency Translation

An example embodiment of the invention, wherein band-pass filtering andfrequency translation are performed, is described in the followingsections.

3.3.1.1 Operational Description

A representation of a transfer function for a band-pass filter is shownin EQ. 3, which was discussed above and presented below for convenience.As indicated above, EQ. 3 is described herein for illustrative purposesonly, and is not limiting.

    VO=α.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VI-β.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VO-β.sub.0 z.sup.-2 VO                                                        EQ. 3

As evidenced by EQ. 3, the output signal VO is formed from a summationof scaled delayed values of the input signal VI and scaled delayedvalues of the output signal VO. More particularly, at any given time t,the value of the output signal VO is equal to a scaled value of theinput signal VI from time t-1, minus a scaled value of the output signalVO from time t-1, minus a scaled value of the output signal VO from atime t-2.

It is noted that EQ. 3 is a transfer function for band-pass filteringthe input signal VI. EQ. 3 is not in any way related to translating thefrequency of the input signal VI. That is, EQ. 3 is not in any wayrelated to down-converting the input signal VI. However, the inventionpreferably operates such that frequency translation is performed atsubstantially the same time that band-pass filtering is performed inaccordance with EQ. 3. Such operation of the present invention shall nowbe described with reference to a flowchart 1802 presented in FIG. 18.

In step 1806, at a time t-1, the input signal VI is under-sampled.According to the present invention and as further described below, thisunder-sampling of the input signal results in translating the frequencyof the input signal VI to a desired lower frequency (such as IF orbaseband), such that the input sample is an instance of a down-convertedimage of the input signal VI. As described below, this input sample isused in the frequency selectivity operation. This further indicates theintegrated operation of the present invention.

In step 1808, at a time t, the input sample that was held from step 1806is released and scaled. The scaling value can be any real number,including but not limited to zero.

In steps 1810 and 1812, at time t, an instance of the output signal VOthat was previously captured at time t-1, and that was held until thistime, is released and scaled. The scaling value can be any real number,including but not limited to zero.

In steps 1814 and 1816, at time t, an instance of the output signal thatwas previously captured at time t-2, and that was held until this time,is released and scaled. The scaling value can be any real number,including but not limited to zero.

In step 1818, at time t, a current instance of the output signal,VO_(t), is generated by combining the scaled and delayed sample of theinput signal VI_(t-1) with the scaled and delayed instances of theoutput signal VO_(t-1) and VO_(t-2).

3.3.1.2 Structural Description

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a UDF module 1950 according to anembodiment of the invention. The UDF module 1950 includes a portion thatcorresponds to the frequency translator 1108 (FIG. 11), and a portionthat corresponds to the input filter 1106. Note that the portioncorresponding to the frequency translator 1108, that is, thedown-convert and delay module 1908, also forms a part of the inputfilter 1106. This is indicative of the preferred aspect of the inventionwherein the frequency selectivity operation 1202 and the frequencytranslation operation 1208 are performed as a single unified operation.

The UDF module 1950 of FIG. 19 is a structural embodiment for performingthe operational steps of flowchart 1802 (FIG. 18). However, it should beunderstood that the scope and spirit of the present invention includesother structural embodiments for performing the steps of flowchart 1802.The specifics of these other structural embodiments will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion containedherein.

The operation of the UDF module 1950 is now described in detail withreference to the flowchart 1802 of FIG. 18. Reference also will be madeto a table 2002 in FIG. 20 that indicates example values at nodes in theUDF module 1950 at a number of consecutive time increments.

In step 1806, at time t-1, the down-convert and delay module 1908under-samples the input signal VI. This input sample is denoted asVI_(t-1). As noted above, in performing step 1806, the down-convert anddelay module 1908 operates to translate the frequency of the inputsignal VI to a desired lower frequency, such as IF or baseband.Accordingly, the input sample VI_(t-1) represents an instance of adown-converted image of the input signal VI. This operation of thedown-convert and delay module 1908 is further described below.

Also in step 1806, the down-convert and delay module 1908 holds theinput sample VI_(t-1) for preferably one time unit. See cell 2004 inTable 2002. As apparent from EQ. 3, above, the band-pass filteringtransfer function requires that the input sample be held for one timeunit. Accordingly, when performing this portion of step 1806, thedown-convert and delay module 1908 is performing a portion of thefrequency selectivity operation 1202. Accordingly, as should be apparentby this description, the down-convert and delay module 1908 contributesto both the frequency translation operation 1204 and the frequencyselectivity operation 1202.

In step 1808, at time t, the input sample that was held for one timeunit (that is, VI_(t-1)) is released by the down-convert and delaymodule 1908, and scaled by the input scaling module 1909. Accordingly,the signal present at node 1902 is (see cell 2006 in Table 2002): α₁·VI₋₁.

Previously, at time t-1, the first delay module 1912 captured aninstance of the output signal VO. This instance of the output signal VOis denoted as VO_(t-1). In step 1810, at time t, the first delay module1912 releases this instance of the output signal VO_(t-1). In step 1812,this instance of the output signal VO_(t-1) is scaled by the firstscaling module 1916. The value present at node 1904 after operation ofthe first scaling module 1916 is (see cell 2012 in Table 2002): -β₁·VO_(t-1).

Previously, at time t-1, the second delay module 1914 captured aninstance of the output signal VO stored in the first delay module 1912(note that the first delay module 1912 sampled the output signal VO toobtain this instance at time t-2). This instance of the output signal VOis denoted as VO_(t-2). At time t, this instance of the output signalVO_(t-2) is released by the second delay module 1914.

In step 1816, the second scaling module scales this instance of theoutput signal VO_(t-2). After operation of the second scaling module1918, the following value is present at node 1906 (see cell 2016 inTable 2002): -β₀ ·VO_(t-2).

In step 1818, at time t, a summer 1910 adds the values present at nodes1902, 1904, and 1906. The sum represents the current instance of theoutput signal VO. This output signal instance is denoted as VO_(t), andis equal to the following (see field 2008 in Table 2002): α₁ ·VI_(t-1)-β₁ ·VO_(t-1) -β₀ ·VO_(t-2).

3.3.2 Second Embodiment: Low Pass Filtering and Frequency Translation

An example embodiment of the invention, wherein low-pass filtering andfrequency translation are performed, is described in the followingsections.

3.3.2.1 Operational Description

EQ. 6 is a representation of a transfer function for a low-pass filter.EQ. 6, first introduced above, is presented below for convenience. Asindicated above, EQ. 6 is described herein for illustrative purposesonly, and is not limiting.

    VO=α.sub.0 z.sup.-2 VI-β.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VO-β.sub.0 z.sup.-2 VO                                                        EQ. 6

As evidenced by EQ. 6, a low-pass filtering operation can be achieved byadding a scaled instance of the input signal VI that has been delayed bytwo time units to two scaled instances of the output signal VO that hadbeen delayed by one and two time units, respectively.

Note that the low-pass transfer function of EQ. 6 is not in any wayrelated to the frequency translation operation 1204. However, theinvention preferably operates such that frequency translation isperformed at substantially the same time that low-pass filtering isperformed in accordance with EQ. 6. Such operation of the presentinvention shall now be described with reference to a flowchart 2202presented in FIG. 22.

In step 2206, at a time t-2, the input signal VI is under-sampled. Theinput sample is denoted as VI_(t-2). According to the present inventionand as further described below, this under-sampling of the input signalresults in translating the frequency of the input signal VI to a desiredlower frequency (such as IF or baseband), such that the input sample isan instance of a down-converted image of the input signal VI. The inputsample is preferably held for two time periods.

Also in step 2206, the input sample VI_(t-2) is held for two time units.As evident from EQ. 6, in order to achieve a low-pass filteringoperation, it is necessary to hold an instance of the input signal VI bytwo time units. Accordingly, this aspect of step 2206 constitutes aportion of the frequency selectivity operation 1202. Thus, in performingstep 2206, the present invention is performing aspects of the frequencyselectivity operation 1202. Thus, the down-convert and delay module 2308contributes to both the frequency translation operation and thefrequency selectivity operation.

In step 2208, at time t, the input sample VI_(t-2) that had been held bytwo time units is released. This input sample VI_(t-2) is scaled in step2210.

In steps 2212 and 2214, at time t, an instance of the output signalVO_(t-1) that has been held by one time unit is released and scaled.

In steps 2216 and 2218, at time t, an instance of the output signalVO_(t-2) that has been held by two time units is released and scaled.

In step 2220, at time t, the current instance of the output signal,VO_(t), is generated by combining the scaled input sample VI_(t-2) withthe scaled instances of the output signal VO_(t-1) and VO_(t-2).

3.3.2.2 Structural Description

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a UDF module 2302 according to anembodiment of the invention. The UDF module 2302 includes a portion thatcorresponds to the frequency translator 1108, and a portion thatcorresponds to the input filter 1106. Note that the portion of the UDFmodule 2302 that corresponds to the frequency translator 1108 also formsa part of the input filter 1106.

The UDF module 2302 is a structural embodiment for performing theoperational steps of flowchart 2202. However, it should be understoodthat the scope and spirit of the present invention includes otherstructural embodiments for performing the steps of flowchart 2202. Thespecifics of these other structural embodiments will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion containedherein.

The operation of the UDF module 2302 shall now be described in detailwith reference to the flowchart 2202 of FIG. 22.

At a time t-2, the down-convert and delay module 2308 under-samples theinput signal VI. This input sample is denoted as VI_(t-2). Thedown-convert and delay module 2308 under-samples the input signal VI toobtain input sample VI_(t-2) in accordance with a control signal 2324A.As further described below, the down-convert and delay module 2308performs such sampling in a manner that operates to translate thefrequency of the input signal VI to a desired lower frequency, such asIF or baseband. Accordingly, the input sample VI_(t-2) represents aninstance of a down-converted image of the input signal VI.

Also in step 2206, the down-convert and delay module 2308 holds theinput sample VI_(t-2) for one time unit. At time t-1, the input sampleVI_(t-2) is captured by a delay module 2310, and held for an additionaltime unit. As evident from the low-pass filtering transfer function ofEQ. 6, in order to perform the low-pass filtering operation, it isnecessary to hold or delay the input signal VI by two time units. Asjust described, this delaying operation is performed collectively by thedown-convert and delay module 2308 and the delay module 2310. Therefore,in performing this aspect of step 2206, the down-convert and delaymodule 2308 contributes to the performance of the frequency selectivityoperation 1202, as well as the frequency translation operation 1204.

In step 2208, at time t, the input sample VI_(t-2) that has beenheld/delayed by two time units is released by the delay module 2310.

In step 2210, at time t, the input sample VI_(t-2) is scaled by thescaling module 2312.

Previously, at time t-1, the delay module 2316 captured an instance ofthe output signal VO. This instance of the output signal VO is denotedas VO_(t-1). In step 2212, at time t, this instance of the output signalVO_(t-1) is released by the delay module 2316.

In step 2214, at time t, this instance of the output signal VO_(t-1) isscaled by the scaling module 2320.

Previously, at time t-1, the delay module 2318 captured an instance ofthe output signal VO stored in the delay module 2316. This instance ofthe output signal VO is denoted as VO_(t-2). At time t, in step 2216,this instance of the output signal VO_(t-2) is released by the delaymodule 2318.

In step 2218, at time t, this instance of the output signal VO_(t-2) isscaled by the scaling module 2322.

In step 2220, at time t, the current instance of the output signal,VO_(t), is generated by combining the scaled input sample VI_(t-2) withthe scaled instances of the output signal, VO_(t-1) and VO_(t-2).

3.3.3 Third Embodiment: Filtering With Mid-Point Injection and FrequencyTranslation

The UDF embodiments described above are provided for illustrativepurposes only. The invention is not limited to these embodiments.

For example, as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevantart(s), it is possible to achieve a given set of filter characteristicsusing a variety of transfer functions. The elements of such transferfunctions can be arranged and configured to satisfy particular goalsand/or requirements.

In a similar manner, a variety of UDF embodiments are possible. In suchembodiments, components contained therein are selected and arranged tosatisfy particular goals and/or requirements.

For example, and without limitation, it is possible to construct a UDFmodule 4402 having the operational map illustrated in FIG. 44. Suchoperation is herein characterized as filtering with mid-point injection,in combination with frequency translation. These embodiments aredescribed in the following sections.

It is noted that the mid-point injection embodiment is presented toillustrate the great flexibility of the invention. In particular, UDFembodiments according to the invention can be constructed with a greatvariety of components and component configurations. Additional UDFembodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s)based on the teachings contained herein.

3.3.3.1 Operational Description

EQ. 3, discussed above, is a representation of a transfer function for aband-pass filter. EQ. 3 is reproduced below for convenience. Asindicated above, EQ. 3 is described herein for illustrative purposesonly, and is not limiting.

    VO=α.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VI-β.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VO-β.sub.0 z.sup.-2 VO                                                        EQ. 3

An embodiment of the UDF module for performing, in a unified manner, thefrequency translation operation 1204 and the frequency selectivityoperation 1202 according to the band-pass filtering transfer function ofEQ. 3 was described above. See, for example, FIGS. 18 and 19.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein frequencytranslation is performed in an integrated manner with frequencyselectivity per the band-pass filtering transfer function of EQ. 3,shall now be described with reference to a flowchart 2402 presented inFIG. 24. In flowchart 2402, step 2405 generally corresponds to steps1606 and 1608 of FIG. 16, and steps 2406-2424 generally correspond tostep 1610.

In step 2405, prior to and including time t-1, instances of the inputsignal VI are captured and delayed, as required by the band-passfiltering transfer function of EQ. 3. These delayed instances of theinput signal VI are used in conjunction with other values (describedbelow) to generate instances of the output signal VO.

For example, at time t-1, an instance of the input signal VI iscaptured. This capturing of the input signal VI is performed prior toany frequency translation of the input signal VI. Accordingly, theresulting instance of the input signal VI is representative of the inputsignal VI prior to down-conversion. This instance of the input signal VIis denoted as VI_(HFt-1), where HF stands for "high frequency."

In step 2406, at a time t-1, the output signal is under-sampled. Theoutput signal being sampled has a relatively high frequency. Inparticular, the frequency of the output signal is generally equal to thefrequency of the input signal VI before down-conversion. Accordingly,the output signal being sampled in step 2406 is denoted as VO_(HF),where HF stands for "high frequency."

According to the present invention, the under-sampling performed in step2406 operates to translate the frequency of the high-frequency outputsignal VO_(HF) to a desired lower frequency, such as IF or baseband.Accordingly, the output sample VO_(t-1) represents an instance of adown-converted image of the high-frequency output signal VO_(HF). Asapparent from this discussion, this aspect of step 2406 relates to thefrequency translation operation 4410.

Also in step 2406, the output sample VO_(t-1) is held for one timeperiod. As evident from EQ. 3, the bandpass filtering transfer functionrequires that the output signal be held, as is being done in step 2406.Therefore, this aspect of step 2406 relates to the frequency selectivityoperation 4408.

Accordingly, in step 2406, operations related to both the frequencytranslation operation 4410 and the frequency selectivity operation 4408are performed in a single, unified (integrated) manner.

In steps 2408 and 2410, at time t, the high-frequency instance of theinput signal VI_(HFt-1) that has been held by one time unit is releasedand optionally filtered and scaled. Preferably, the filtering done atthis point involves relatively wide filter bandwidths (for example,wideband filtering as opposed to narrowband filtering).

In steps 2412 and 2414, at time t, the output sample VO_(t-1) from step2406 that has been held for one time unit is released, and scaled.

In steps 2416 and 2418, at time t, an instance of the output signal VOthat has been held by two time units is released and scaled. Thisinstance of the output signal VO is denoted as VO_(t-2).

In step 2420, at time t, the scaled VO_(t-1) and the scaled VO_(t-2) aresummed. Note that VO_(t-1) and VO_(t-2) are at a frequency that is lowerthan the frequency of the input signal 2504. This is due to the factthat VO_(t-1) was obtained from an under-sampling operation thatinvolved frequency down-conversion (as described above in step 2406),and the fact that VO_(t-2) was obtained from VO_(t-1).

Also in step 2420, the sum of the scaled VO_(t-1) and the scaledVO_(t-2) is upconverted to a frequency substantially equal to thefrequency of the input signal VI.

In step 2422, at time t, the scaled instance of the input signalVI_(HFt-1) is combined with the upconverted sum of the scaled VO_(t-1)and the scaled VO_(t-2). This results in generating the current instanceof the high-frequency output signal, VO_(HFt).

In step 2424, at time t, this current instance of the high-frequencyoutput signal, VO_(HFt), is down-converted to the desired lowerfrequency, for example, IF or baseband. The result is an instance of thelow-frequency output signal, V_(LFt), where LF stands for "lowfrequency."

3.3.3.2 Structural Description

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a UDF module 2502 according to anembodiment of the invention. The UDF module 2502 includes a portion thatcorresponds to the frequency translator 1108, and a portion thatcorresponds to the input filter 1106. Note that the portion of the UDFmodule 2502 that corresponds to the frequency translator 1108 also formsa part of the portion of the UDF module 2502 that corresponds to theinput filter 1106.

The UDF module 2502 is a structural embodiment for performing theoperational steps of flowchart 2402. However, it should be understoodthat the scope and spirit of the present invention includes otherstructural embodiments for performing the steps of flowchart 2402. Thespecifics of these other structural embodiments will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion containedherein.

The operation of the UDF module 2502 shall now be described in detailwith reference to the flowchart 2402 of FIG. 24.

In step 2405, prior to and including time t-1, a high frequency delaymodule 2506 captures instances of the input signal VI. For example, attime t-1, an instance of the input signal VI is captured by the highfrequency delay module 2506. This instance of the input signal VI isnoted as VI_(HFt-1).

In step 2406, at a time t-1, the down-convert and delay module 2514under-samples a high-frequency representation of the output signalVO_(HF). This high-frequency output signal VO_(HF) is at a frequencysubstantially equal to the frequency of the input signal VI. Asdiscussed in further detail below, the down-convert and delay module2514 under-samples the high frequency output signal VO_(HF) in a mannerso as to translate the frequency of the high-frequency output signalVO_(HF) to a desired lower frequency, such as IF or baseband.Accordingly, the output sample VO_(t-1) represents an instance of adown-converted image of the high frequency output signal VO_(HF).

Also in step 2406, the output sample VO_(t-1) is held by thedown-convert and delay module 2514.

In step 2408, at time t, the instance of the input signal VI_(HFt-1),that was previously captured by the high-frequency delay module 2506 attime t-1, is released.

In step 2410, at time t, the instance of the input signal VI_(HFt-1) isoptionally filtered by a filter 2508, and scaled by a scaling module2510.

In step 2412, at time t, the output sample VO_(t-1) from step 2406 isreleased by the down-convert and delay module 2514.

In step 2414, at time t, the output sample VO_(t-1) is scaled by thescaling module 2518.

Previously, at time t-1, a low frequency delay module 2516 captured aninstance of the output sample VO_(t-2) stored in the down-convert anddelay module 2514. In step 2416, at time t, this instance of the outputsignal VO_(t-2) is released by the low frequency delay module 2516.

In step 2418, at time t, the instance of the output signal VO_(t-2) isscaled by the scaling module 2520.

In step 2420, at time t, an adder 2522 sums the scaled sample of theoutput signal VO_(t-1) and the scaled instance of the output signalVO_(t-2). Recall that VO_(t-1) and VO_(t-2) are at a frequency that islower than the frequency of the input signal 2504. This is due to thefact that VO_(t-1) was obtained from an under-sampling operation thatinvolved frequency down-conversion (as described above in step 2406),and the fact that VO_(t-2) was obtained from VO_(t-1) (as describedabove in step 2416).

Also in step 2420, the sum of the scaled VO_(t-1) and the scaledVO_(t-2) is upconverted by an upconvert module 2524 to a frequencysubstantially equal to the frequency of the input signal VI.

In step 2422, at time t, the scaled instance of the input signalVI_(HFt-1), is combined with the upconverted sum of the scaled sample ofthe output signal VO_(t-1) and the scaled instance of the output signalVO_(t-2). The result is the current instance of the high-frequencyoutput signal, VO_(HFt). Note that this instance of the high-frequencyoutput signal V_(HFt) is at a frequency generally equal to the frequencyof the input signal VI.

In step 2424, at time t, a down-convert module 2526 down-converts thecurrent instance of the high-frequency output signal, VO_(HFt), to adesired lower frequency, such as IF or baseband. The result is aninstance of the low-frequency output signal, VO_(LFt).

3.3.4 Other Embodiments

The embodiments described above are provided for purposes ofillustration. These embodiments are not intended to limit the invention.Alternate embodiments, differing slightly or substantially from thosedescribed herein, will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevantart(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternateembodiments include, but are not limited to, embodiments of the UDFmodule where the filtering function is performed according to transferfunctions differing from those utilized above. Such alternateembodiments also include, but are not limited to, embodiments of the UDFmodule where the frequency selectivity operation comprises filteringtypes not discussed above, such as, but not limited to, high passfiltering, notch filtering, etc. Such alternate embodiments fall withinthe scope and spirit of the present invention.

3.4 Implementation Examples

Exemplary operational and/or structural implementations related to themethod(s), structure(s), and/or embodiments described above arepresented in this section (and its subsections). These implementationsare presented herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation.The invention is not limited to the particular implementation examplesdescribed herein. Alternate implementations (including equivalents,extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein)will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein. Such alternate implementations fall withinthe scope and spirit of the present invention.

3.4.1 Implementation Example of a Unified Downconverting and Filtering(UDF) Module

FIG. 26 illustrates an example implementation of the unifieddown-converting and filtering (UDF) module 2622. The UDF module 2622performs the frequency translation operation 1204 and the frequencyselectivity operation 1202 in an integrated, unified manner as describedabove, and as further described below.

In the example of FIG. 26, the frequency selectivity operation 1202performed by the UDF module 2622 comprises a band-pass filteringoperation. As noted above, EQ. 3 is an example representation of aband-pass filtering transfer function. EQ. 3 is presented below forconvenience. As indicated above, EQ. 3 is described herein forillustrative purposes only, and is not limiting.

    VO=α.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VI-β.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VO-β.sub.0 z.sup.-2 VO                                                        EQ. 3

In the example of FIG. 26, the UDF module 2622 performs band-passfiltering in accordance with the example band-pass filtering transferfunction of EQ. 3.

The UDF module 2622 includes a down-convert and delay module 2624, firstand second delay modules 2628 and 2630, first and second scaling modules2632 and 2634, an output sample and hold module 2636, and an (optional)output smoothing module 2638. Other embodiments of the UDF module willhave these components in different configurations, and/or a subset ofthese components, and/or additional components. For example, and withoutlimitation, in the configuration shown in FIG. 26, the output smoothingmodule 2638 is optional. Alternate embodiments of the UDF module will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on thediscussion contained herein.

As further described below, in the example of FIG. 26, the down-convertand delay module 2624 and the first and second delay modules 2628 and2630 include switches that are controlled by a clock having two phases,φ₁ and φ₂. φ₁ and φ₂ preferably have the same frequency, and arenon-overlapping (alternatively, a plurality such as two clock signalshaving these characteristics could be used). As used herein, the term"non-overlapping" is defined as two or more signals where only one ofthe signals is active at any given time. In some embodiments, signalsare "active" when they are high. In other embodiments, signals areactive when they are low. See, for example, FIGS. 33A and 33B.

Preferably, each of these switches closes on a rising edge of φ₁ or φ₂,and opens on the next corresponding falling edge of φ₁ or φ₂. However,the invention is not limited to this example. As will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art(s), other clock conventions can beused to control the switches.

In the example of FIG. 26, it is assumed that α₁ is equal to one. Thus,the output of the down-convert and delay module 2624 is not scaled. Asevident from the embodiments described above, however, the invention isnot limited to this example.

The filter characteristics of the example UDF module 2622 are presentedin FIGS. 27A and 27B. The example UDF module 2622 has a filter centerfrequency of 900.2 MHZ and a filter bandwidth of 570 KHz. The pass bandof the UDF module 2622 is on the order of 899.915 MHz to 900.485 MHz.The Q factor of the UDF module 2622 is approximately 1579 (i.e., 900.2MHZ divided by 570 KHz).

Example waveforms present at nodes in the UDF module 2622 according toan example where the frequency of the input signal VI is 900.2 MHz andthe frequency of the control or sample signal is 16 MHz, are presentedin FIGS. 28A-28E. FIG. 28F illustrates VI corresponding to the exampleof FIGS. 28A-28E. FIGS. 28A-28F represent an in-band example, since thefrequency of the input signal VI (i.e., 900.2 MHZ) is within thepassband of the example UDF module 2622. As such, the UDF module 2622amplifies the input signal by a factor of approximately 5, as predictedby the frequency response of FIG. 27B.

Another series of example waveforms present in the UDF module 2622 wherethe frequency of the input signal VI is 897 MHz and the frequency of thecontrol or sampling signal is 16 MHz, are presented in FIGS. 29A-29E.FIG. 29F illustrates VI corresponding to the example of FIGS. 29A-29E.FIGS. 29A-29F represent an out-of-band example, since the frequency ofthe input signal VI (i.e., 897 MHZ) is not within the passband of theexample UDF module 2622. As such, the UDF module 2622 attentuates theinput signal by a factor of approximately 0.57, as predicted by thefrequency response of FIG. 27B.

The operation of the UDF module 2622 shall now be described withreference to a Table 1502 (FIG. 15) that indicates example values atnodes in the UDF module 2622 at a number of consecutive time increments.It is assumed in Table 1502 that the UDF module 2622 begins operating attime t-1. As indicated below, the UDF module 2622 reaches steady state afew time units after operation begins. The number of time unitsnecessary for a given UDF module to reach steady state depends on theconfiguration of the UDF module, and will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

At the rising edge of φ₁ at time t-1, a switch 2650 in the down-convertand delay module 2624 closes. This allows a capacitor 2652 to charge tothe current value of an input signal, VI_(t-t) such that node 2602 is atV_(t-1). This is indicated by cell 1504 in FIG. 15. In effect, thecombination of the switch 2650 and the capacitor 2652 in thedown-convert and delay module 2624 operates to translate the frequencyof the input signal VI to a desired lower frequency, such as IF orbaseband. Thus, the value stored in the capacitor 2652 represents aninstance of a down-converted image of the input signal VI. Thisoperation of the down-convert and delay module 2624 is further describedbelow.

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t-1, a switch 2658 in the firstdelay module 2628 closes, allowing a capacitor 2660 to charge toVO_(t-1), such that node 2606 is at VO_(t-1). This is indicated by cell1506 in Table 1502. (In practice, VO_(t-1) is undefined at this point.However, for ease of understanding, VO_(t-1) shall continue to be usedfor purposes of explanation.)

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t-1, a switch 2666 in the seconddelay module 2630 closes, allowing a capacitor 2668 to charge to a valuestored in a capacitor 2664. At this time, however, the value incapacitor 2664 is undefined, so the value in capacitor 2668 isundefined. This is indicated by cell 1507 in table 1502.

At the rising edge of φ₂ at time t-1, a switch 2654 in the down-convertand delay module 2624 closes, allowing a capacitor 2656 to charge to thelevel of the capacitor 2652. Accordingly, the capacitor 2656 charges toVI_(t-1), such that node 2604 is at VI_(t-1). This is indicated by cell1510 in Table 1502.

The UDF module 2622 may optionally include a unity gain module 2690Abetween capacitors 2652 and 2656. The unity gain module 2690A operatesas a current source to enable capacitor 2656 to charge without drainingthe charge from capacitor 2652. For a similar reason, the UDF module2622 may include other unity gain modules 2690B-2690G. It should beunderstood that, for many embodiments and applications of the invention,these unity gain modules 2690A-2690G are optional. The structure andoperation of the unity gain modules 2690 will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s).

Also at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t-1, a switch 2662 in the firstdelay module 2628 closes, allowing a capacitor 2664 to charge to thelevel of the capacitor 2660. Accordingly, the capacitor 2664 charges toVO_(t-1), such that node 2608 is at VO_(t-1). This is indicated by cell1514 in Table 1502.

Also at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t-1, a switch 2670 in the seconddelay module 2630 closes, allowing a capacitor 2672 to charge to a valuestored in a capacitor 2668. At this time, however, the value incapacitor 2668 is undefined, so the value in capacitor 2672 isundefined. This is indicated by cell 1515 in table 1502.

At time t, at the rising edge of φ₁, the switch 2650 in the down-convertand delay module 2624 closes. This allows the capacitor 2652 to chargeto VI_(t), such that node 2602 is at VI_(t). This is indicated in cell1516 of Table 1502.

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t, the switch 2658 in the firstdelay module 2628 closes, thereby allowing the capacitor 2660 to chargeto VO_(t). Accordingly, node 2606 is at VO_(t). This is indicated incell 1520 in Table 1502.

Further at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t, the switch 2666 in thesecond delay module 2630 closes, allowing a capacitor 2668 to charge tothe level of the capacitor 2664. Therefore, the capacitor 2668 chargesto VO_(t-1), such that node 2610 is at VO_(t-1). This is indicated bycell 1524 in Table 1502.

At the rising edge of φ₂ at time t, the switch 2654 in the down-convertand delay module 2624 closes, allowing the capacitor 2656 to charge tothe level of the capacitor 2652. Accordingly, the capacitor 2656 chargesto VI_(t), such that node 2604 is at VI_(t). This is indicated by cell1528 in Table 1502.

Also at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t, the switch 2662 in the firstdelay module 2628 closes, allowing the capacitor 2664 to charge to thelevel in the capacitor 2660. Therefore, the capacitor 2664 charges toVO_(t), such that node 2608 is at VO_(t). This is indicated by cell 1532in Table 1502.

Further at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t, the switch 2670 in thesecond delay module 2630 closes, allowing the capacitor 2672 in thesecond delay module 2630 to charge to the level of the capacitor 2668 inthe second delay module 2630. Therefore, the capacitor 2672 charges toVO_(t-1), such that node 2612 is at VO_(t-1). This is indicated in cell1536 of FIG. 15.

At time t+1, at the rising edge of φ₁, the switch 2650 in thedown-convert and delay module 2624 closes, allowing the capacitor 2652to charge to VI_(t+1). Therefore, node 2602 is at VI_(t+1), as indicatedby cell 1538 of Table 1502.

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t+1, the switch 2658 in the firstdelay module 2628 closes, allowing the capacitor 2660 to charge toVO_(t+1). Accordingly, node 2606 is at VO_(t+1), as indicated by cell1542 in Table 1502.

Further at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t+1, the switch 2666 in thesecond delay module 2630 closes, allowing the capacitor 2668 to chargeto the level of the capacitor 2664. Accordingly, the capacitor 2668charges to VO_(t), as indicated by cell 1546 of Table 1502.

In the example of FIG. 26, the first scaling module 2632 scales thevalue at node 2608 (i.e., the output of the first delay module 2628) bya scaling factor of -0.1. Accordingly, the value present at node 2614 attime t+1 is -0.1*VO_(t). Similarly, the second scaling module 2634scales the value present at node 2612 (i.e., the output of the secondscaling module 2630) by a scaling factor of -0.8. Accordingly, the valuepresent at node 2616 is -0.8*VO_(t-1) at time t+1.

At time t+1, the values at the inputs of the summer 2626 are: VI_(t) atnode 2604, -0.1*VO_(t) at node 2614, and -0.8*VO_(t-1) at node 2616 (inthe example of FIG. 26, the values at nodes 2614 and 2616 are summed bya second summer 2625, and this sum is presented to the summer 2626).Accordingly, at time t+1, the summer generates a signal equal to VI_(t)-0.1*VO_(t) -0.8*VO_(t-1).

At the rising edge of φ₁ at time t+1, a switch 2691 in the output sampleand hold module 2636 closes, thereby allowing a capacitor 2692 to chargeto VO_(t+1). Accordingly, the capacitor 2692 charges to VO_(t+1), whichis equal to the sum generated by the adder 2626. As just noted, thisvalue is equal to: VI_(t) -0.1*VO_(t) -0.8*VO_(t-1). This is indicatedin cell 1550 of Table 1502. This value is presented to the outputsmoothing module 2638, which smooths the signal to thereby generate theinstance of the output signal VO_(t+1). It is apparent from inspectionthat this value of VO_(t+1) is consistent with the band pass filtertransfer function of EQ. 3.

3.4.2 Implementation Examples of Components of the UDF Module

Implementation examples of the components of the UDF module according toembodiments of the present invention are described in the followingsections. These example implementations are provided for purposes ofillustration only, and are not limiting.

3.4.2.1 Downconvert and Delay Module

Referring to FIG. 17 only for illustrative purposes, the down-convertand delay module 1708 performs the frequency translation operation. Inan embodiment, the down-convert and delay module 1708 under-samples theinput signal VI such that the input under-samples form a down-convertedsignal. In an example implementation, the down-converted signal is anintermediate frequency (IF) representation of the input signal VI. Inanother example implementation, the down-converted signal is ademodulated baseband signal. The invention is not limited to theseimplementation examples.

In addition to performing the frequency translation operation, thedown-convert and delay module 1708 also delays the input samples for thefrequency selectivity (filtering) operation. Thus, the down-convert anddelay module 1708 contributes to both the frequency translationoperation and the frequency selectivity operation.

The down-convert and delay module is further described below.

3.4.2.1.1 Universal frequency down-conversion (UFD) Module

In FIG. 26, the downconvert and delay module 2624 represents an exampleimplementation of the down-convert and delay modules described herein,such as 1708 in FIG. 17, 1908 in FIG. 19, 2308 in FIG. 23, and 2514 inFIG. 25. The downconvert and delay module 2624 preferably includes theswitch 2650 and the capacitor 2652. The switch 2650 and the capacitor2652 operate to down-convert the input signal VI. This aspect of theinvention is described in this section.

In particular, the following discussion describes down-converting usinga Universal Frequency Translation (UFT) Module. The down-conversion ofan EM signal by aliasing the EM signal at an aliasing rate is fullydescribed in co-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled "Methods andSystems for Down-converting an Electromagnetic Signal," Application No.(to be assigned). Attorney Docket Number 1744.0010000, the fulldisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A relevantportion of the above mentioned patent application is summarized below todescribe down-converting an input signal to produce a down-convertedsignal that exists at a lower frequency or a baseband signal.

FIG. 53A illustrates an aliasing module 5300 (also called in thiscontext a universal frequency down-conversion module) fordown-conversion using a universal frequency translation (UFT) module5302 which down-converts an EM input signal 5304. In particularembodiments, aliasing module 5300 includes a switch 5308 and a capacitor5310. The electronic alignment of the circuit components is flexible.That is, in one implementation, the switch 5308 is in series with inputsignal 5304 and capacitor 5310 is shunted to ground (although it may beother than ground in configurations such as differential mode). In asecond implementation (see FIG. 53A-1), the capacitor 5310 is in serieswith the input signal 5304 and the switch 5308 is shunted to ground(although it may be other than ground in configurations such asdifferential mode). Aliasing module 5300 with UFT module 5302 can beeasily tailored to down-convert a wide variety of electromagneticsignals using aliasing frequencies that are well below the frequenciesof the EM input signal 5304.

In one implementation, aliasing module 5300 down-converts the inputsignal 5304 to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In anotherimplementation, the aliasing module 5300 down-converts the input signal5304 to a demodulated baseband signal. In yet another implementation,the input signal 5304 is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, and thealiasing module 5300 down-converts it to a non-FM signal, such as aphase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal. Eachof the above implementations is described below.

In an embodiment, the control signal 5306 (which is an example ofcontrol signal φ₁ that controls switch 2650 in FIG. 26) includes a trainof pulses that repeat at an aliasing rate that is equal to, or lessthan, twice the frequency of the input signal 5304. In this embodiment,the control signal 5306 is referred to herein as an aliasing signalbecause it is below the Nyquist rate for the frequency of the inputsignal 5304. Preferably, the frequency of control signal 5306 is muchless than the input signal 5304.

The train of pulses 5318 of FIG. 53D controls the switch 5308 to aliasthe input signal 5304 with the control signal 5306 to generate adown-converted output signal 5312. More specifically in an embodiment,switch 5308 closes on a first edge of each pulse 5320 of FIG. 53D andopens on a second edge of each pulse. When the switch 5308 is closed,the input signal 5304 is coupled to the capacitor 5310, and charge istransferred from the input signal to the capacitor 5310. The chargestored during successive pulses forms down-converted output signal 5312.

Exemplary waveforms are shown in FIGS. 53B-53F.

FIG. 53B illustrates an analog amplitude modulated (AM) carrier signal5314 that is an example of input signal 5304. For illustrative purposes,in FIG. 53C, an analog AM carrier signal portion 5316 illustrates aportion of the analog AM carrier signal 5314 on an expanded time scale.The analog AM carrier signal portion 5316 illustrates the analog AMcarrier signal 5314 from time t₀ to time t₁.

FIG. 53D illustrates an exemplary aliasing signal 5318 that is anexample of control signal 5306. Aliasing signal 5318 is on approximatelythe same time scale as the analog AM carrier signal portion 5316. In theexample shown in FIG. 53D, the aliasing signal 5318 includes a train ofpulses 5320 having negligible apertures that tend towards zero (theinvention is not limited to this embodiment, as discussed below). Thepulse aperture may also be referred to as the pulse width as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art(s). The pulses 5320 repeat at analiasing rate, or pulse repetition rate of aliasing signal 5318. Thealiasing rate is determined as described below, and further described inco-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled "Method and System forDown-converting an Electromagnetic Signal," Application No. (to beassigned), Attorney Docket Number 1744.0010000.

As noted above, the train of pulses 5320 (i.e., control signal 5306)control the switch 5308 to alias the analog AM carrier signal 5316(i.e., input signal 5304) at the aliasing rate of the aliasing signal5318. Specifically, in this embodiment, the switch 5308 closes on afirst edge of each pulse and opens on a second edge of each pulse. Whenthe switch 5308 is closed, input signal 5304 is coupled to the capacitor5310, and charge is transferred from the input signal 5304 to thecapacitor 5310. The charge transferred during a pulse is referred toherein as an under-sample. Exemplary under-samples 5322 formdown-converted signal portion 5324 (FIG. 53E) that corresponds to theanalog AM carrier signal portion 5316 (FIG. 53C) and the train of pulses5320 (FIG. 53D). The charge stored during successive under-samples of AMcarrier signal 5314 forms a down-converted signal 5324 (FIG. 53E) thatis an example of down-converted output signal 5312 (FIG. 53A). In FIG.53F a demodulated baseband signal 5326 represents the demodulatedbaseband signal 5324 after filtering on a compressed time scale. Asillustrated, down-converted signal 5326 has substantially the same"amplitude envelope" as AM carrier signal 5314. Therefore, FIGS. 53B-53Fillustrate down-conversion of AM carrier signal 5314.

The waveforms shown in FIGS. 53B-53F are discussed herein forillustrative purposes only, and are not limiting. Additional exemplarytime domain and frequency domain drawings, and exemplary methods andsystems of the invention relating thereto, are disclosed in co-pendingU.S. Patent Application entitled "Method and System for Down-convertingan Electromagnetic Signal," Application No. (to be assigned), AttorneyDocket Number 1744.0010000.

As indicated above, the aliasing rate of control signal 5306 determineswhether the input signal 5304 is down-converted to an IF signal,down-converted to a demodulated baseband signal, or down-converted froman FM signal to a PM or an AM signal. Generally, relationships betweenthe input signal 5304, the aliasing rate of the control signal 5306, andthe down-converted output signal 5312 are illustrated below:

    (Freq. of input signal 5304)=n·(Freq. of control signal 5306)±(Freq. of down-converted output signal 5312)

For the examples contained herein, only the "+" condition will bediscussed. The value of n represents a harmonic or sub-harmonic of inputsignal 5304 (e.g., n=0.5, 1,2,3, . . . ).

When the aliasing rate of control signal 5306 is off-set from thefrequency of input signal 5304, or off-set from a harmonic orsub-harmonic thereof, input signal 5304 is down-converted to an IFsignal. This is because the under-sampling pulses occur at differentphases of subsequent cycles of input signal 5304. As a result, theunder-samples form a lower frequency oscillating pattern. If the inputsignal 5304 includes lower frequency changes, such as amplitude,frequency, phase, etc., or any combination thereof, the charge storedduring associated under-samples reflects the lower frequency changes,resulting in similar changes on the down-converted IF signal. Forexample, to down-convert a 901 MHz input signal to a 1 MHz IF signal,the frequency of the control signal 5306 would be calculated as follows:

    (Freq.sub.input -Freq.sub.IF)/n=Freq.sub.control (901 MHz-1 MHz)/n=900/n

For n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., the frequency of the control signal 5306would be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHz, 450 MHz, 300 MHz, 225MHz, etc.

Exemplary time domain and frequency domain drawings, illustratingdown-conversion of analog and digital AM, PM and FM signals to IFsignal, and exemplary methods and systems thereof, are disclosed inco-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled "Method and System forDown-converting an Electromagnetic Signal," Application No. (to beassigned), Attorney Docket Number 1744.0010000.

Alternatively, when the aliasing rate of the control signal 5306 issubstantially equal to the frequency of the input signal 5304, orsubstantially equal to a harmonic or sub-harmonic thereof, input signal5304 is directly down-converted to a demodulated baseband signal. Thisis because, without modulation, the under-sampling pulses occur atsubstantially the same point of subsequent cycles of the input signal5304. As a result, the under-samples form a constant output basebandsignal. If the input signal 5304 includes lower frequency changes, suchas amplitude, frequency, phase, etc., or any combination thereof, thecharge stored during associated under-samples reflects the lowerfrequency changes, resulting in similar changes on the demodulatedbaseband signal. For example, to directly down-convert a 900 MHz inputsignal to a demodulated baseband signal (i.e., zero IF), the frequencyof the control signal 5306 would be calculated as follows:

    (Freq.sub.input -Freq.sub.IF)/n=Freq.sub.control (900 MHz-0 MHz)/n=900 MHz/n

For n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., the frequency of the control signal 5306should be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHz, 450 MHz, 300 MHz, 225MHz, etc.

Exemplary time domain and frequency domain drawings, illustrating directdown-conversion of analog and digital AM and PM signals to demodulatedbaseband signals, and exemplary methods and systems thereof, aredisclosed in the co-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled "Method andSystem for Down-converting an Electromagnetic Signal," Application No.(to be assigned), Attorney Docket Number 1744.0010000.

Alternatively, to down-convert an input FM signal to a non-FM signal, afrequency within the FM bandwidth must be down-converted to baseband(i.e., zero IF). As an example, to down-convert a frequency shift keying(FSK) signal (a sub-set of FM) to a phase shift keying (PSK) signal (asubset of PM), the mid-point between a lower frequency F₁ and an upperfrequency F₂ (that is, [(F₁ +F₂)÷2]) of the FSK signal is down-convertedto zero IF. For example, to down-convert an FSK signal having F₁ equalto 899 MHz and F₂ equal to 901 MHz, to a PSK signal, the aliasing rateof the control signal 5306 would be calculated as follows: ##EQU8##Frequency of the down-converted signal=0 (i.e., baseband)

    (Freq.sub.input -Freq.sub.IF)/n=Freq.sub.control (900 MHz-0 MHz)/n=900 MHz/n

For n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, etc., the frequency of the control signal 5306should be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHz, 450 MHz, 300 MHz, 225MHz, etc. The frequency of the down-converted PSK signal issubstantially equal to one half the difference between the lowerfrequency F₁ and the upper frequency F₂.

As another example, to down-convert a FSK signal to an amplitude shiftkeying (ASK) signal (a subset of AM), either the lower frequency F₁ orthe upper frequency F₂ of the FSK signal is down-converted to zero IF.For example, to down-convert an FSK signal having F₁ equal to 900 MHzand F₂ equal to 901 MHz, to an ASK signal, the aliasing rate of thecontrol signal 5306 should be substantially equal to:

    (900 MHz-0 MHz)/n=900 MHz/n,

or

    (901 MHz-0 MHz)/n=901 MHz/n.

For the former case of 900 MHz/n, and for n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., thefrequency of the control signal 5306 should be substantially equal to1.8 GHz, 900 MHz, 450 MHz, 300 MHz, 225 MHz, etc. For the latter case of901 MHz/n, and for n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., the frequency of the controlsignal 5306 should be substantially equal to 1.802 GHz, 901 MHz, 450.5MHz, 300.333 MHz, 225.25 MHz, etc. The frequency of the down-convertedAM signal is substantially equal to the difference between the lowerfrequency F₁ and the upper frequency F₂ (i.e., 1 MHz).

Exemplary time domain and frequency domain drawings, illustratingdown-conversion of FM signals to non-FM signals, and exemplary methodsand systems thereof, are disclosed in the co-pending U.S. PatentApplication entitled "Method and System for Down-converting anElectromagnetic Signal," Application No. (to be assigned), AttorneyDocket Number 1744.0010000.

In an embodiment, the pulses of the control signal 5306 have negligibleapertures that tend towards zero. This makes the UFT module 5302 a highinput impedance device. This configuration is useful for situationswhere minimal disturbance of the input signal may be desired.

In another embodiment, the pulses of the control signal 5306 havenon-negligible apertures that tend away from zero. This makes the UFTmodule 5302 a lower input impedance device. This allows the lower inputimpedance of the UFT module 5302 to be substantially matched with asource impedance of the input signal 5304. This also improves the energytransfer from the input signal 5304 to the down-converted output signal5312, and hence the efficiency and signal to noise (sin) ratio of UFTmodule 5302.

Exemplary systems and methods for generating and optimizing the controlsignal 5306 and for otherwise improving energy transfer and s/n ratio,are disclosed in the co-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled "Methodand System for Down-converting an Electromagnetic Signal," ApplicationNo. (to be assigned), Attorney Docket Number 1744.0010000.

3.4.2.2 Delay Modules

As indicated above, a delay module operates to delay samples/instancesof a signal presented at its input by a known amount.

For example, in the embodiment of the UDF module 2622 shown in FIG. 26,the first and second delay modules 2628 and 2630 operate to delayinstances of the output signal VO. Specifically, the first delay module2628 delays instances of the output signal VO by one time unit. Thesecond delay module 2630 also delays instances of the output signal VOby one time unit. However, the second delay module 2630 receives itsinput from the first delay module 2628. Accordingly, the effect of thesecond delay module 2630 (in combination with the first delay module2628) is to delay instances of the output signal VO by two time units.This is required, for example, by the second and third components of theexample band-pass filtering transfer function of EQ. 3.

In the embodiment of the UDF module 2622 shown in FIG. 26, the firstdelay module 2628 and the second delay module 2630 are each implementedusing a sample and hold circuit. For ease of presentation andillustration, such sample and hold circuits are depicted in FIG. 45. (Asapparent from the discussion contained herein, other embodiments of theUDF module include delay modules. Such delay modules can also beimplemented using sample and hold circuits. Alternatively, well knowndelay circuits or processors/software can be utilized, as will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein.)

More particularly, FIG. 45 shows two sample and hold circuits 4501 and4503. The sample and holds 4501 and 4503 are similar in structure andoperation. Generally, the first delay module 2628 and the second delaymodule 2630 can each be implemented using either the sample and hold4501 or the sample and hold 4503. Preferably, the first delay module2628 and the second delay module 2630 are generally implemented in theexample configuration shown in FIG. 45.

Each sample and hold 4501, 4503 includes a first switch 4508, 4524 and asecond switch 4512, 4528, respectively. The first switches 4508, 4524,and the second switches 4512, 4528 are controlled by a clock signal4550. Preferably, the clock signal 4550 has two phases, φ₁ and φ₂.Preferably, φ₁ and φ₂ have the same frequency, but are non-overlapping.The first switches 4508, 4524 are controlled by φ₁.Preferably, the firstswitches 4508 and 4524 close on rising edges of φ₁, and open on thefollowing falling edges of φ₁. The second switches 4512, 4528 arecontrolled by φ₂. Preferably, the second switches 4512 and 4528 close onrising edges of φ₂, and open on the following falling edges of φ₂.Example representations of φ₁ and φ₂ are shown in FIG. 48. It is notedthat the invention is not limited to this switching convention. In otherembodiments, other switching conventions are used. Further, othercircuit configurations could be used.

The sample and holds 4501, 4503 also each include a first capacitor4510, 4526 and a second capacitor 4514,4530, respectively. The sampleand holds 4501, 4503 optionally include unity gain modules 4520, 4522,4532, 4534 which operate in the manner described above.

The operation of the sample and holds 4501, 4503 is now described withreference to a flowchart 4602 shown in FIG. 46. Reference shall also bemade to a Table 4702 that indicates example values at particular nodesin the sample and holds 4501 and 4503 at a number of consecutive timeincrements. In the example of Table 4702, it is assumed that operationof the sample and holds 4501,4503 begins at time t. One or more cyclesare required for the sample and holds 4501, 4503 to reach steady state.The number of cycles required to reach steady state will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings containedherein.

In step 4604, at the rising edge of φ₁ during a time t, the switch 4508closes. Upon the closing of the first switch 4508, the first capacitor4510 charges to VI_(t) such that node 4516 is at VI_(t). This isindicated in cell 4704 of Table 4702.

Note that the first switch 4524 in the sample and hold 4503 also closesupon the rising edge of φ₁ during t. This causes the first capacitor4526 in the sample and hold 4503 to charge to the level stored in thesecond capacitor 4514 in the sample and hold 4501. However, in theexample currently being discussed, the value of the second capacitor4514 at the rising edge of φ₁ during time t is undefined. Accordingly,the charge in the first capacitor 4526 at this time t is undefined, asindicated in cell 4705 in Table 4702.

In step 4606, at the rising edge of φ₂ during time t, the second switch4512 in the sample and hold 4501 closes. This causes the secondcapacitor 4514 to charge to the level of the first capacitor 4510.Accordingly, the second capacitor 4514 charges to VI_(t). This causesthe value at node 4518 to become VI_(t). This is indicated in cell 4708of table 4702.

Also upon the rising edge of φ₂ during time t, the second switch 4528 inthe sample and hold 4503 closes, such that the second capacitor 4530charges to the level of the first capacitor 4526 in the sample and hold4503. However, as described above, the charge in the first capacitor4526 at this time is undefined. Accordingly, the charge in the secondcapacitor 4530 at this time is undefined, as indicated by cell 4709 inTable 4702.

In step 4608, at the rising edge of φ₁ during time t+1, the first switch4508 in the sample and hold 4501 closes. This causes the first capacitor4510 to charge to VI_(t+1), such that node 4516 is at VI_(t+1). This isindicated in cell 4710 in Table 4702.

Also on the rising edge of φ₁ during time t+1, the first switch 4524 inthe sample and hold 4503 closes. This causes the first capacitor 4526 inthe sample and hold 4503 to charge to the level of the second capacitor4514 in the sample and hold 4501. Accordingly, the first capacitor 4526charges to VI_(t), such that node 4536 is at VI_(t). This is indicatedin cell 4714 of Table 4702.

In step 4610, at the rising edge of φ₂ during time t+1, the secondswitch 4512 in the sample and hold 4501 closes. This causes the secondcapacitor 4514 in the sample and hold 4501 to charge to the level of thefirst capacitor 4510. In other words, the second capacitor 4514 chargesto VI_(t+1), such that node 4518 is at VI_(t+1). This is indicated bycell 4718 in Table 4702.

Also at the rising edge of φ₂ during time t+1, the second switch 4528 inthe sample and hold 4503 closes. This causes the second capacitor 4530to charge to the level of the first capacitor 4526 in the sample andhold 4503. In other words, the second capacitor 4530 charges to VI_(t)such that node 4538 is at VI_(t). This is indicated in cell 4722 ofTable 4702.

FIG. 48 illustrates another representation of the operation of thesample and holds 4501, 4503. FIG. 48 illustrates φ₁ and φ₂ of the clocksignal 4550. As discussed above, the first switches 4508, 4524 close atrising edges of φ₁, and open at falling edges of φ₁. The second switches4512, 4528 close at rising edges of φ₂, and open at falling edges of φ₂.

Consider now the sample and hold 4501. When the first switch 4508closes, the first capacitor 4510 begins to charge to the input signal VIand continues to charge until the first switch 4508 opens. The firstswitch 4508 is closed while φ₁ is high. Accordingly, while φ₁ is high,the sample and hold 4501 samples the input signal VI. This is indicatedin FIG. 48 by a sample period 4802. FIG. 48 also indicates a hold period4804. During this hold period 4804, the sample of the input signal VIthat is stored in the first capacitor 4510 is held in the sample andhold 4501. Specifically, this input sample is held in the firstcapacitor 4510 until the next rising edge of φ₁ (during time t+1). Also,at the rising edge of φ₂ during time t, the second switch 4512 closesand the second capacitor 4514 charges to this input sample. This valueis held in the second capacitor 4514 until the next rising edge of φ₂ attime t+1.

Accordingly, in sample and hold 4501, VI is sampled at the beginning oft, and is held in the sample and hold 4501 until after time period texpires (i.e., for greater than a full period of the clock signal 4550).Note, however, that the next sample and hold 4503 does not sample theoutput of the first sample and hold 4501 until the next rising edge ofφ₁ (that is, the rising edge of φ₁ during time t+1). Thus, the firstsample and hold 4501 samples VI at time t; this sample VI_(t) does notpropagate to the next sample and hold 4503 until time t+1. Accordingly,the sample and hold 4501 effectively holds or delays the sample of theinput signal VI for one time period. This delay period is denoted as4806 in FIG. 48.

In practice, the charge in the first capacitor 4510 tracks the inputsignal VI while the first switch 4508 is closed (i.e., during the sampleperiod 4802 of time t). The charge stored in the first capacitor 4510 atthe falling edge of φ₁ of time t constitutes the input sample VI_(t). Inother words, the input sample VI_(t) is defined in the sample and hold4501 at the falling edge of φ₁ of time t. The input sample in the sampleand hold 4501 is not re-defined until the next falling edge of φ₁ (i.e.,the falling edge of φ₁ of time t+1). Accordingly, the delay of thesample and hold 4501 can be considered to be delay 4807 shown in FIG.48.

The discussion in this section has thus far focused on the delay modules2628, 2630 implemented using sample and hold circuits, as in the exampleUDF module 2622 of FIG. 26. However, the invention is not limited tothis implementation example. Instead, the delay modules in the UDFmodule can be implemented using any apparatus or circuit that operatesto delay an incoming signal by a predetermined amount.

For example, referring for illustrative purposes only to FIG. 17, thedelay modules 1710, 1722 can each be implemented using a switchedcapacitor topology 3204, such as that shown in FIG. 32. The switchcapacitor topology 3204 includes two switches 3208 and 3206 whichoperate according to φ₁ and φ₂ of a clock signal. An examplerepresentation of φ₁ and φ₂ is shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B.

In addition to delaying an input signal VI, the particular switchcapacitor shown in FIG. 32 also scales the input signal as follows:##EQU9##

Accordingly, when using a switched capacitor such as that shown in FIG.32, the switch capacitor performs the function of both the delay module1710, 1722 and the associated scaling module 1716, 1724.

The delay modules 1710, 1722 can also each be implemented using ananalog delay line, such as the analog delay line 3404 in FIG. 34, forexample. As will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s),an analog delay line 3404 is constructed using a combination ofcapacitors, inductors, and/or resistors. The analog delay line 3404operates to delay an input signal by a known amount. In someembodiments, the analog delay line 3404 is combined with othercomponents to achieve this function, such as samplers.

The above implementation examples are provided for illustrative purposesonly, and are not limiting. Other implementation examples will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein.

3.4.2.3 Scaling Modules

The scaling modules in the UDF module operate to scale signals presentat their respective inputs. Such scaling contributes to the filtercharacteristics (such as the filter center frequency and bandwidth) ofthe UDF module.

Referring for illustrative purposes only to the UDF module 1702 in FIG.17, the scaling modules 1716, 1724 can be implemented using anyapparatus or circuit that scales an input signal by a known amount. Thescaling factor may be less than 1 (in the case of attenuation) orgreater than 1 (in the case of amplification). More generally, thescaling factor may be any real number, including but not limited tozero.

For example, each scaling module 1716,1724 can be implemented using aresistor attenuater 3504, as shown in FIG. 35. As will be appreciated bypersons skilled in the relevant art(s), there are many types andconfigurations of resistor attenuaters. FIG. 36 illustrates an exampleresistor attenuater 3602. This example resistor attenuater 3602 scalesan input V1 by: ##EQU10##

Other circuit diagrams for resistor attenuaters suitable for use as thescaling modules 1716, 1724 in the UDF module 1702 will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art(s).

An amplifier/attenuater 3704 can also be used to implement the scalingmodules 1716, 1724. An example amplifier 3704 is shown in FIG. 37. Aswill be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s),amplifiers suitable for use as scaling modules 1716, 1724 in the UDFmodule 1702 can be implemented using a variety of circuit components,such as, but not limited to, operational amplifiers (OP AMPS),transistors, FETS, etc.

The above implementation examples are provided for illustrative purposesonly, and are not limiting. Other implementation examples will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein.

3.4.2.4 Adder

Referring for illustrative purposes only to FIG. 17, the adder 1720(also called the summer herein) sums the signals presented at itsinputs. The adder 1720 can be implemented using any apparatus or circuitthat sums a plurality of input signals.

For example, the adder 1720 can be implemented using a resistive summer3804 (FIG. 38). As will be appreciated by persons skilled in therelevant art(s), there are many configurations of resistive summers.FIG. 39 illustrates an example resistive summer 3902 that can be used toimplement the adder 1720. However, the invention is not limited by thisexample.

The adder 1720 could also be implemented using an OP AMP summer 4004(FIG. 40). As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevantart(s), there are many types and configurations of OP AMP summers. Forillustrative purposes, an example OP AMP summer 4102 is provided in FIG.41. The structure and operation of the OP AMP summer 4102 will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). It should beunderstood that the invention is not limited by the example OP AMPsummer 4102 provided in FIG. 41.

The adder 1720 can also be implemented using a combination of summercomponents. This is shown, for example, in the embodiment of FIG. 26.

The above implementation examples are provided for illustrative purposesonly, and are not limiting. Other implementation examples will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein.

3.4.2.5 Control Signal Generator

Referring for illustrative purposes only to the UDF module 1702 in FIG.17, the down-convert and delay module 1708 and the delay modules 1710,1722 preferably operate according to control signals 1734A-1734F.Preferably, the control signals 1734A-1734F represent a bi-phase controlsignal, that is, a control signal with two phases, φ₁ and φ₂.Preferably, φ₁ and φ₂ have the same frequency and are not overlapping.

An example representation of φ₁ and φ₂ is shown in FIGS. 43B and 43D.Any apparatus and circuit for generating such a bi-phase control signalcan be utilized with the present invention. An example implementation ofa control signal generator 1790 is presented in FIG. 42.

The control signal generator 1790 includes an oscillator 4204 andoptionally a signal shaper 4205 that generate a series of pulses at asampling frequency f_(s). This is represented in FIG. 43A. A signalsplitter 4206 splits this oscillating signal into two identical signals.An example representation of these two signals is shown in FIGS. 43B and43C. These two signals are present at nodes 4216 and 4214, respectively,in the control signal generator 4202.

The signal splitter 4206 may cause some attenuation in the signals.Consequently, some embodiments of the invention may include amplifiers.

A delay module 4208 operates to delay one of the signals so as togenerate φ₂ present at node 4218. This is shown in FIG. 43D.

As noted above, in some embodiments, it is useful to adjust the aperture(width) of the pulses in one or more of the control signals φ₁ and/orφ₂. In such embodiments, an optional aperture optimizing module 4210performs the task of adjusting the aperture (width) of the pulses of thecontrol signals φ₁ and/or φ₂. The structure and operation of anembodiment of the aperture optimizing module 4210 is described in detailin co-pending U.S. Patent Application titled, "Methods and Systems forDown-Converting Electromagnetic Signals," referenced above.

The above implementation examples are provided for illustrative purposesonly, and are not limiting. Other implementation examples will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein.

3.4.2.6 Output Sample and Hold Module

Some embodiments of the UDF module may include an output sample and holdmodule. For example, the example UDF module 2622 in FIG. 26 includes anoutput sample and hold module 2636. Preferably, the output sample andhold module 2636 is positioned at the output of the adder 2626.

As evident from the embodiments discussed above, the output signal VOgenerated by the UDF module is typically represented by the output ofthe adder (although there are some embodiments and applications wherethis is not the case). See, for example, the UDF module 1702 in FIG. 17.In some implementations of the UDF module, such as that shown in FIG.26, the value present at the output of the adder 2626 may not alwaysrepresent a valid instance of the output signal VO. This is due, forexample, to the propagation of signals through the UDF module. Theoutput sample and hold module 2636 ensures that only valid values of theoutput of the adder 2626 (i.e., only valid instances of the outputsignal VO) are presented to downstream devices external to the UDFmodule.

In the example of FIG. 26, the value at the output of the adder 2626 isguaranteed to be valid only at rising edges of φ₁. Accordingly, a switch2691 in the output sample and hold module 2636 closes upon rising edgesof φ₁, thereby allowing the capacitor 2692 in the output sample and holdmodule 2636 to charge to the value at the output of the adder 2626. Thisvalue in the capacitor 2692 is presented to an output smoothing module2638. The signal generated by the output smoothing module 2638represents the output signal VO. See, for example, cell 1550 in Table1502, and the accompanying description provided above.

The above implementation examples are provided for illustrative purposesonly, and are not limiting. Other implementation examples will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein.

3.4.2.7 Output Smoothing Module

Some embodiments of the UDF module may include an output smoothingmodule. For example, the example UDF module 2622 of FIG. 26 includes anoutput smoothing module 2636. The output smoothing module 2638 operatesto smooth the signal generated by the output sample and hold module2636. It is noted that the output smoothing module is an optionalcomponent.

The above implementation example is provided for illustrative purposesonly, and is not limiting. Other implementation examples will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein.

3.4.2.8 Mid-Point Injection Embodiment: High Frequency Delay Module

Referring to FIG. 25, the high frequency delay module 2506 utilized inthe UDF module 2502 of the mid-point injection embodiments of thepresent invention can be implemented using any apparatus that delays arelatively high frequency signal, or instances of the signal, for agiven amount of time. The frequency of the signal may be, for example,RF or greater (but the invention is not limited to thesefrequencies--the frequency of the signal may be less than RF).

Any well known delay lines and/or transmission structures can be used toimplement the high frequency delay module 2506. For example, atransmission line of known length can be used to implement the highfrequency delay module 2506. As will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s), a particular delay can be obtained using atransmission line of known length.

Other apparatuses or structures for implementing the high frequencydelay module 2506 will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevantart(s) based on the discussion contained herein.

3.4.2.9 Mid-Point Injection Embodiment: Optional Filter

Referring to FIG. 25, the filter 2508 optionally utilized in the UDFmodule 2502 of the mid-point injection embodiments of the presentinvention can be implemented using any appropriate filtering apparatus.Preferably, the filter 2508 represents a high frequency, widebandfilter. Any appropriate known filter topology can be employed, such asan LC configuration, strip lines, and/or a saw filter- Many apparatusesor structures for implementing the filter 2508 will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion containedherein.

3.4.2.10 Mid-Point Injection Embodiment Downconvert Module

Referring to FIG. 25, the downconvert module 2526 utilized in the UDFmodule 2502 of the mid-point injection embodiments of the presentinvention can be implemented using any apparatus that performs frequencydown-conversion. For example, any well known frequency down-conversionapparatus employing a mixer and an oscillator can be used. Other wellknown apparatuses that perform frequency down-conversion suitable foruse with the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) based on the discussion contained herein.

According to embodiments of the invention, the downconvert module 2526is alternatively implemented using the universal frequencydown-conversion (UFD) module. The UFD module is described above.

3.4.2.11 Mid-Point Injection Embodiment: Upconvert Module

Referring to FIG. 25, the upconvert module 2524 utilized in the UDFmodule 2502 of the mid-point injection embodiments of the presentinvention can be implemented using any apparatus that performs frequencyupconversion that retains amplitude and phase information. For example,any well known frequency upconversion apparatus employing a mixer and anoscillator can be used. Other well known apparatuses that performfrequency upconversion suitable for use with the present invention willbe apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on thediscussion contained herein.

The reader is directed to co-pending U.S. application "Method and Systemfor Frequency Up-Conversion," Attorney Docket No. 1744.0020000,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Teachings relating tofrequency up-conversion contained in that U.S. application may beapplicable to this and other aspects of the present invention.

3.4.3 Implementing the UDF Module as an Integrated Circuit (IC)

The invention is direct to the UDF module implemented on an integratedcircuit (IC).

Understanding of this aspect of the invention may be facilitated byconsidering IC fabrication technology.

The fabrication of filters typically requires very tight tolerances oncomponent parts of the filters, such as capacitors, inductors,resistors, etc. In contrast, the UDF module of the present inventiondoes not require a high degree of accuracy on the values of elementsused therein. More particularly, the UDF module does not require a highdegree of accuracy on the value of any given individual circuit elementused therein.

Instead, according to the invention, the parameters of the filtersdepend on the ratio of element values. This is illustrated, for example,by the above description of the switched capacitor of FIG. 32, where thescaling factor depended on the ratio of C1 to C2.

As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s), it isdifficult with present day fabrication technology to achieve tighttolerances on individual circuit component values, especially whenoperating at high frequencies (such as RF and above). However, currenttechnology allows for tight tolerances on the ratios of circuitcomponent values. This is generally the case for all operatingfrequencies. Thus, the invention facilitates the IC fabrication process.

This aspect of the present invention is one factor that enables the UDFmodule to be implemented as an IC.

There are a number of additional aspects of the UDF module that enableit to be implemented as an IC.

For example, the component of the UDF module that preferably performsthe frequency translation operation, i.e., the universal frequencydown-conversion module, is achieved using a limited number ofcomponents. See, for example, the embodiment of FIG. 26, where thefrequency down-conversion operation is being performed essentially by aswitch 2650 and a capacitor 2652.

Also, according to the present invention, input filtering is preferablyachieved using a limited number of components. Again, for example, seethe example UDF module 2622 of FIG. 26.

Further, the goals of the invention (input filtering and frequencytranslation) are preferably achieved without the use of largecapacitors, inductors, or resistors. These aspects of the invention arediscussed above.

Thus, the architecture of the invention is friendly to integratedcircuit design techniques and processes. Consequently, as will beappreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein, any of the embodiments of the UDF module canbe implemented on an integrated circuit using existing fabricationtechnology.

3.4.4 Other Implementations

The implementations described above are provided for purposes ofillustration. These implementations are not intended to limit theinvention. Alternate implementations, differing slightly orsubstantially from those described herein, will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.Such alternate implementations fall within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention.

4 Designing a Unified Downconverting and Filtering (UDF) Module

A methodology for designing a unified downconverting and filtering (UDF)module according to an embodiment of the invention shall now bedescribed. This methodology is applicable to any of the embodiments ofthe UDF module discussed or contemplated herein.

It should be understood that this methodology is provided for purposesof illustration, and is not intended to limited the invention. Alternatedesign methodologies, differing slightly or substantially from thosedescribed herein, will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevantart(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternate designmethodologies fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Referring now to a flowchart 4902 in FIG. 49, in step 4904, the UDFmodule is designed so as to exhibit desired frequency translationcharacteristics. Such characteristics may include, for example andwithout limitation, the expected frequency of the input signal and thedesired frequency of the output signal. Such characteristics may alsoinclude, for example and without limitation, whether the input signal isdown-converted to an IF signal, down-converted to a demodulated basebandsignal, down-converted from an FM signal to a PM or an AM signal, etc.Such characteristic may also include, for example and withoutlimitation, whether energy transfer should be augmented during thefrequency translation process.

In step 4906, the UDF module is designed so as to exhibit desiredfrequency selectivity characteristics. Such characteristics may include,for example and without limitation, the type of filtering to beperformed by the UDF module (low pass, high pass, band pass, all pass,band stop, notch, etc.), the filtering center frequency, the filteringbandwidth, the filtering passband, etc.

It is noted that steps 4904 and 4906 may be performed in any order.

In step 4908, the UDF module is constructed in accordance with thedesign considerations of steps 4904 and 4906.

The operation of the steps of flowchart 4902 shall now be described ingreater detail with reference to a flowchart 5002 in FIG. 50.

Step 4904 (designing the UDF module so as to exhibit desired frequencytranslation characteristics) is represented by step 5004 in FIG. 50.Preferably, the desired frequency translation characteristics of the UDFmodule is established by selecting the sampling rate. There may be otherconsiderations, as described above, and further described in co-pendingU.S. Patent Application titled, "Methods and Systems for Down-ConvertingElectromagnetic Signals," referenced above.

Step 4906 (designing the UDF module so as to exhibit desired frequencyselectivity characteristics) is represented by steps 5006-5010 in FIG.50, which are now described.

In step 5006, a low pass transfer function in the S plane isobtained/selected. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in therelevant art(s), it is common practice to design a filter by startingwith a lowpass filter at a desired cutoff frequency. As will be furtherappreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s), there arenumerous formulas and/or design tables for low pass transfer functions,including Butterworth, Chebyshev, elliptic filters, etc. Any of thesemay be utilized as the S plane low pass transfer functionobtained/selected in step 5006.

In step 5008, the S plane low pass transfer function obtained in step5006 is converted to a Z plane low pass transfer function. Step 5008 ispreferably performed by substituting S variables in the S plane low passtransfer function with the expression provided in EQ. 8. As will beappreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s), other S plane toZ plane transformations exist. Any of these transformations may be usedin the present invention. ##EQU11##

In EQ. 8, T represents the inverse of the sampling rate (determined instep 5004). In other words, T is equal to 1/(sampling rate).

In step 5010, if necessary, the Z plane low pass transfer function ismodified to obtain desired filtering characteristics. Preferably, themodifications of step 5010 are performed using any well knowntransformation expressions. Examples of such well known transformationexpressions are provided, without limitation, in FIG. 51 (thetransformation expressions of FIG. 51 are independent of the manner inwhich the S plane to Z plane conversion was performed in step 5008). Inthese expressions, θ_(p) represents the cutoff frequency of the S lowpass transfer function obtained and modified in steps 5006 and 5008.

The table 5102 in FIG. 51 is from Oppenheim and Schafer, Digital SignalProcessing, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 1975, page 230. This entirepublication is herein incorporated by reference.

As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s), othertransformation expressions exist. Any such transformations can be usedby the present invention.

When using the example transformations of table 5102, it is possible toobtain a Z plane high pass transfer function from the Z plane low passtransfer function of step 5008 by using the transformation and formulasof cells 5106 and 5114. It is possible to obtain a Z plane bandpasstransfer function from the Z plane low pass transfer function of step5008 by using the transformation and formulas of cells 5108 and 5116. Itis possible to obtain a Z plane bandstop transfer function from the Zplane low pass transfer function of step 5008 by using thetransformation and formulas of cells 5110 and 5118. It is possible toobtain a modified Z plane lowpass transfer function from the Z plane lowpass transfer function of step 5008 by using the transformation andformulas of cells 5104 and 5112.

The equations and transformations of FIG. 51 establish filteringcharacteristics such as the center frequency and the passband. Forexample, with regard to the bandpass filter, once the transformation incell 5108 has been applied to the Z plane low pass transfer functiongenerated in step 5008, the original low pass cutoff frequency θ_(p)represents the center frequency of the band pass filter. The passband ofthe band pass filter is defined by ω₁ and ω₂.

It is noted that Z plane transfer functions generated as described abovewith reference to steps 5006, 5008, and 5010 may differ in form and/orcontent from the transfer functions of EQS. 1-6. This illustrates thegreat flexibility, broad scope, and wide applicability of the presentinvention. In particular, the present invention is operable according to(i.e., the invention can be implemented in accord with) any or at leasta large number of filtering transfer functions generated using any or atleast a large number of procedures, as will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

Still referring to FIG. 50, in step 4908, the UDF module is constructedin accordance with the design considerations of steps 5004-5010.Consider, for example, the UDF module 1702 in FIG. 17. The number ofdelay elements and the arrangement of the delay elements in the UDFmodule 1702 (such as the downconvert and delay module 1708 and the delaymodules 1710,1722) are dictated by the delay factors in the filtertransfer function produced after operation of steps 5006, 5008, and5010. This is apparent from the discussion in prior sections. Thesampling rate selected in step 5004 corresponds to the control signal1734. The constants in the filter transfer function (produced afteroperation of steps 5006,5008, and 5010) are achieved by the scalingmodules 1716, 1724 (and optionally 1790).

5 Adjustable UDF Module

As noted above, and referring to FIG. 17 for illustrative purposes only,the frequency translation and selectivity characteristics of the UDFmodule 1702 are established in large part by the control signal 1734(including the sample clock) and the scaling modules 1716, 1724. Inembodiments of the UDF module, various parameters are adjustable,including but not limited to the control signal 1734 and the scalingmodules 1716, 1724. Accordingly, frequency translation and selectivitycharacteristics of the UDF module that depend on the control signal 1734and the scaling modules 1716, 1724 are adjustable. In some embodiments,such characteristics (and perhaps others) are electronically adjustable.

Frequency translation characteristics, including but not limited to thedesired frequency of the output signal, whether the input signal isdown-converted to an IF signal, down-converted to a demodulated basebandsignal, down-converted from an FM signal to a PM or an AM signal, etc.,and whether energy transfer should be augmented during the frequencytranslation process, can be adjusted by adjusting, for example andwithout limitation, characteristics of the control signal 1734 (such asrate and/or pulse aperature).

Frequency selectivity characteristics, including but not limited to thefilter center frequency, the filter bandwidth, the filter passband, thefilter type, etc., can be adjusted by adjusting, for example and withoutlimitation, the scaling factors of the scaling modules 1716, 1722 and/orthe control signal 1734 (such as rate and/or pulse aperature).

The control signal can be adjusted, for example, by implementing thecontrol signal generator 4202 (FIG. 42) using a tunable oscillator, andimplementing the aperature optimizing module 4210 using tunablecomponents (such as tunable resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.).Such tunable elements may be electrically tunable.

The scaling factors can be adjusted by implementing the scaling modules1716, 1722 using adjustable components, such as tunable resistors,capacitors, inductors, etc. Such tunable elements may be electricallytunable.

The tunable devices may be manually controlled. Alternatively,embodiments of the UDF module include control modules to automaticallycontrol such tunable devices (in some embodiments, the control modulesoperate according to user input and/or commands). The control modulesmay operate in real time, such that the UDF module is dynamicallytunable. The control modules may be implemented as a software controlledprocessor, a state machine, etc., or combinations thereof.

6 Amplification

As described above, unified down-converting and filtering according toembodiments of the present invention involves both frequencydown-conversion and filtering. According to embodiments of theinvention, unified down-converting and filtering of the presentinvention also includes signal amplification. This feature of theinvention is discussed in this section.

Recall, for example purposes only, EQ. 2 that represents an exampletransfer function of a band-pass filter. (It is noted that EQ. 2 isreferred to for illustrative purposes. This aspect of the invention isapplicable to other transfer functions and other filter types.)##EQU12##

It is possible to achieve amplification or attenuation by a factor K byscaling the numerator by K. K is a real number. Doing this for EQ. 2yields the following: ##EQU13##

Solving for VO yields the following:

    VO=Kα.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VI-β.sub.1 z.sup.-1 VO-β.sub.0 z.sup.-2 VO                                               EQ. 10

In embodiments of the invention, such amplification is achieved asspecified by EQS. 9 and 10 by inserting a scaling module having a scalefactor K in each feedforward path of the UDF module. Consider, forexample, UDF module 1702 in FIG. 17. A scaling module 1790 having scalefactor K is inserted into each feedforward path to thereby achieve anamplification or attenuation factor of K. The scaling modules 1790 maybe electrically adjustable/tunable.

Alternatively, the scale factors of scaling modules 1716 are adjusted toincorporate the amplification/attentuation scale factor K. In suchembodiments, the scale factors of the scaling modules 1716 affect boththe filtering operation and the amplification/attentuation operation.

It is noted that this feature of the invention is optional. Whereamplification is not required, the scaling modules 1790 can be omitted(or their scale factors can be set to 1).

The invention supports amplification adjustment. That is, theamplification achieved by the UDF module 1702 can be adjusted byadjusting the scale factors of the scaling modules 1716. Suchamplification adjustment can be performed statically or dynamically, andcan also be performed electronically.

Such adjustment can be manually controlled, or can be automaticallycontrolled using a processor operating according to control modules thatcomprise software, a hardware state machine, etc., or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the control modules operate according touser input and/or commands.

This amplification feature of the invention has been described in thecontext of the example UDF module 1702 of FIG. 17 for illustrativepurposes only. The amplification feature as described herein is equallyapplicable to other UDF modules.

7 Example Applications

The following sections describe applications involving the UDF module ofthe present invention. The invention includes these applications. Itshould be understood that the invention is not limited to the particularapplications described below. Equivalents, extensions, variations,deviations, etc., of the following will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Inparticular, any application requiring the performance of at least afrequency translation operation and a frequency selectivity operationmay utilize the UDF module described herein. Such applications arewithin the scope and spirit of the present invention.

7.1 Receiver

As noted above with reference to FIG. 8, a receiver performs threeprimary functions: frequency translation 808, frequency selection 810,and amplification 812.

Embodiments of the unified down-converting and filtering (UDF) moduleperform the frequency translation operation 808 and the frequencyselection module 810. In some embodiments, the frequency selectionoperation 810 performed by the UDF module represents input filtering atany frequency, including RF and greater frequencies. Accordingly, suchembodiments of the UDF module perform the primary functions of areceiver, except for amplification.

Therefore, it is possible to form a receiver in accordance with thepresent invention by combining the UDF module 1102 with an amplifier.This is shown in FIG. 30.

According to this receiver 3002, the UDF module 3006 performs unifiedfrequency selection and conversion operations on an input signal 3004 inthe manner described herein. The amplifier 3008 amplifies the output ofthe UDF module 1102 to thereby generate an output signal 3010. Thisoperation of the receiver 3002 is represented in a flowchart 3102 inFIG. 31.

In some applications, the level of the output signal generated by theUDF module 3006 is sufficient for downstream processing. In such cases,an amplifier is not necessary. In this case, the embodiment of the UDFmodule 3006 shown in FIG. 30 (that performs frequency selection andtranslation, but not amplification) is sufficient to act as a receiver.

As noted above, some UDF embodiments also perform amplification. In suchembodiments, the UDF module performs the primary functions of areceiver, i.e., frequency translation 808, frequency selection 810, andamplification 812. In such embodiments, the UDF module alone issufficient to act as a receiver.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s), thereceiver 3002 can be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC). Asdiscussed above, the UDF module can be implemented on an IC. Dependingon the application, the UDF module performs most, if not all, of thefunctions required of a receiver. Accordingly, it follows that anyreceiver implemented using an embodiment of the UDF module can beimplemented on an IC. Embodiments of the present invention are directedto such receivers implemented on an IC.

7.2 Other Application Examples

The applications described above are provided for purposes ofillustration. These applications are not intended to limit theinvention. Alternate applications, differing slightly or substantiallyfrom those described herein, will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternateapplications fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

For example, and without limitation, UDF embodiments can be utilized inapplications that involve filtering and frequency translation (in anycombination or order), as illustrated in FIGS. 52A-52C. Also, UDFembodiments can be utilized in applications that involve filtering withor without down-conversion (in the latter case, the extent of frequencydown-conversion by such UDF embodiments is minimized), as shown in FIG.52D. Further, UDF embodiments can be utilized in applications thatinvolve down-conversion with or without filtering (in the latter case,such UDF embodiments pass substantially all frequencies), as shown inFIG. 52E. Additionally, UDF embodiments can be utilized in applicationsthat involve amplification or attentuation, as shown in FIG. 52F. It isnoted that these features of the invention can be combined.Specifically, depending on the application, one or more of filtering,frequency translation, and amplification/attentuation can be arranged indesired combinations.

8 Conclusion

Example implementations of the systems and components of the inventionhave been described herein. As noted elsewhere, these exampleimplementations have been described for illustrative purposes only, andare not limiting. Other implementation embodiments are possible andcovered by the invention, such as but not limited to software andsoftware/hardware implementations of the systems and components of theinvention. Such implementation embodiments will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

While various application embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scopeof the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for filtering and down-converting,comprising:(1) a frequency translator, comprising a down-convert anddelay module to under-sample an input signal to produce an input sampleof a down-converted image of said input signal, and to delay said inputsample; and (2) a filter, comprising:(a) at least a portion of saiddown-convert and delay module; (b) at least one delay module to delayinstances of an output signal; and (c) an adder to combine at least saiddelayed input sample with at least one of said delayed instances of saidoutput signal to generate an instance of said output signal; whereinsaid down-convert and delay module under-samples said input signalaccording to a control signal, wherein a frequency of said controlsignal is equal to a frequency of said input signal plus or minus afrequency of said down-converted image, divided by n, where n representsa harmonic or sub-harmonic of said input signal.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said control signal comprises a train of pulses havingpulse widths that are established to improve energy transfer from saidinput signal to said down-converted image.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said down-convert and delay module comprises a switch and astorage element, wherein a first node of said storage element is coupledto a node of said switch, and a second node of said storage element iscoupled to a reference potential.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid down-convert and delay module comprises a switch and a storageelement, wherein a first node of said switch is coupled to a node ofsaid storage element, and a second node of said switch is coupled to areference potential.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frequencytranslator is at least partially integral with said filter.
 6. Anapparatus for filtering and down-converting, comprising:(1) a frequencytranslator, comprising:(a) means for under-sampling an input signal toproduce an input sample of a down-converted image of said input signal;and (b) first delaying means for delaying said input sample; and (2) afilter, comprising:(a) said first delaying means; (b) second delayingmeans for delaying instances of an output signal; and (c) means forcombining at least said delayed input sample with at least one of saiddelayed instances of said output signal to generate an instance of saidoutput signal; wherein said under-sampling means under-samples saidinput signal according to a control signal, wherein a frequency of saidcontrol signal is equal to a frequency of said input signal plus orminus a frequency of said down-converted image, divided by n, where nrepresents a harmonic or sub-harmonic of said input signal.
 7. Anapparatus for filtering and down-converting, comprising:a down-convertand delay module to under-sample an input signal to produce an inputsample of a down-converted image of said input signal, and to delay saidinput sample; at least one delay module to delay instances of an outputsignal; and an adder to combine at least said delayed input sample withat least one of said delayed instances of said output signal to generatea instance of said output signal; wherein said down-convert and delaymodule under-samples said input signal according to a control signal,wherein a frequency of said control signal is equal to a frequency ofsaid input signal plus or minus a frequency of said down-convertedimage, divided by n, where n represents a harmonic or sub-harmonic ofsaid input signal.
 8. A method of filtering and down-converting,comprising the steps of:(1) under-sampling an input signal to produceinput samples of a down-converted image of said input signal; (2)delaying said down-converted input samples; and (3) generating adown-converted and filtered output signal from at least said delayed anddown-converted input samples and delayed instances of the output signal;wherein step (1) comprises the step of:under-sampling said input signalaccording to a control signal, wherein a frequency of said controlsignal is equal to a frequency of said input signal plus or minus afrequency of said down-converted image, divided by n, where n representsa harmonic or sub-harmonic of said input signal.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein step (1) comprises the step of:under-sampling said inputsignal according to a control signal to produce said down-convertedinput samples.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the stepof:(4) scaling said delayed and down-converted input samples and saiddelayed instances of the output signal; wherein step (3) comprises thestep of generating said down-converted and filtered output signal fromsaid scaled, delayed, and down-converted input samples and said scaledand delayed instances of the output signal.
 11. The method of claim 10,farther comprising the step of:(5) tuning one or more filter parameters.12. The method of claim 11, wherein step (5) comprises the stepof:tuning at least one of a filter center frequency, a filter bandwidth,and a filter passband.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein step (5)comprises the step of:performing at least one of steps (i) and (ii) totune said one or more filter parameters:(i) adjusting at least one scalefactor; and (ii) adjusting one or more characteristics of said controlsignal.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:(4)tuning at least one frequency translation parameters.
 15. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising the step of:(4) amplifying said outputsignal.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein step (4) comprises the stepof:scaling at least one of said delayed and down-converted input samplesand delayed instances of the output signal to achieve amplification. 17.The method of claim 8, wherein step (2) is at least partially integralwith step (1).
 18. The method of claim 8, wherein said control signalcomprises a train of pulses having pulse widths that are established toimprove energy transfer from said input signal to said down-convertedimage.
 19. A method of filtering and down-converting, comprising thesteps of:(1) filtering and down-converting an input signal in anintegrated manner, and (2) tuning at least one of said filteringoperation and said down-converting operation of step (1); wherein step(1) comprises the step of:under-sampling said input signal according toa control signal, wherein a frequency of said control signal is equal toa frequency of said input signal plus or minus a frequency of adown-converted image, divided by n, where n represents a harmonic orsub-harmonic of said input signal.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereinstep (2) comprises the step of:tuning at least one of a filter centerfrequency, a filter bandwidth, and a filter passband.
 21. The method ofclaim 19, wherein step (2) comprises the step of:performing at least oneof steps (i) and (ii) to tune said one or more filtering parameters:(i)adjusting at least one scale factor; and (ii) adjusting one or morecharacteristics of a control signal.
 22. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising the step of:(3) amplifying an output signal resulting fromsaid filtering and down-converting operations of step (1), comprisingthe step of modifying said at least one scale factor.
 23. The method ofclaim 19, wherein step (2) comprises the step of:dynamically tuning saidone or more parameters of said filtering operation of step (1).
 24. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising the step of:(3) tuning at leastone frequency translation parameter.
 25. The method of claim 24, whereinstep (3) comprises the step of:adjusting one or more characteristics ofa control signal.
 26. The method of claim 19, wherein saiddown-converting operation is performed so as to improve energy transferfrom said input signal to a down-converted image.
 27. The method ofclaim 19, wherein said filtering operation effectively represents inputfiltering, and said input signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal. 28.An apparatus to filter and down-convert, comprising:an integralfilter/frequency translator to filter and down-convert an input signal;and a module to tune at least one of said filtering operation and saiddown-conversion operations; wherein said integral filter/frequencytranslator under-samples said input signal according to a controlsignal, wherein a frequency of said control signal is equal to afrequency of said input signal plus or minus a frequency of adown-converted image, divided by n, where n represents a harmonic orsub-harmonic of said input signal.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28,wherein said filtering operation effectively represents input filtering,and said input signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal.
 30. A method offiltering and down-converting, comprising the steps of:(1) filtering anddown-converting an input signal in an integrated manner, comprising atleast adjusting scale factors; and (2) amplifying an output signalresulting from said filtering and down-converting operations of step(1), comprising the step of modifying said scale factors to achieve adesired amplification level; wherein step (1) comprises the stepof:under-sampling said input signal according to a control signal,wherein a frequency of said control signal is equal to a frequency ofsaid input signal plus or minus a frequency of a down-converted image,divided by n, where n represents a harmonic or sub-harmonic of saidinput signal.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein step (1) comprises thesteps of:(a) under-sampling said input signal to produce input samplesof a down-converted image of said input signal; (b) delaying saiddown-converted input samples; and (c) generating a down-converted andfiltered output signal from said delayed and down-converted inputsamples and delayed instances of the output signal.
 32. The method ofclaim 31, wherein step (a) comprises the step of:under-sampling saidinput signal according to a control signal to produce saiddown-converted input samples.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein saidcontrol signal is established to improve energy transfer from said inputsignal to said down-converted image.
 34. An apparatus to filter anddown-convert, comprising:(1) a frequency translator to produce a sampleof a down-converted image of an input signal, and to delay said sample;and (2) a filter, comprising:(a) at least a portion of said frequencytranslator; (b) at least one delay module to delay an output signal; and(c) an adder to combine at least said delayed sample with at least aportion of said delayed output signal to generate at least a part ofsaid output signal; wherein said frequency translator under-samples saidinput signal according to a control signal, wherein a frequency of saidcontrol signal is equal to a frequency of said input signal plus orminus a frequency of said down-converted image, divided by n, where nrepresents a harmonic or sub-harmonic of said input signal.
 35. Themethod of claim 8 wherein filtering of steps (1)-(3) comprises narrowband filtering.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein filtering of steps(1)-(3) comprises channel select filtering.
 37. The method of claim 36,wherein said input signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal.
 38. Themethod of claim 36, wherein said input signal comprises a frequencygreater than a radio frequency (RF).
 39. The method of claim 36, whereinsaid input signal comprises a frequency less than a radio frequency(RF).
 40. The method of claim 8, wherein filtering of steps (1)-(3)comprises wide band filtering.
 41. The method of claim 8, wherein saidinput signal comprises a frequency greater than or equal to a radiofrequency (RF).
 42. The method of claim 8, further comprising the stepof:receiving said input signal via a communication medium.
 43. Themethod of claim 42, wherein said communication medium comprises a wiredmedium.
 44. The method of claim 42, wherein said communication mediumcomprises a wireless medium.
 45. The method of claim 8, wherein saidinput signal is an unmodulated signal.
 46. The method of claim 8,wherein said input signal is a modulated signal.
 47. The method of claim46, wherein said input signal is one of an amplitude modulated signal, afrequency modulated signal, or a phase modulated signal.
 48. The methodof claim 8 wherein filtering of steps (1)-(3) comprises at least one of:(a) band pass filtering; (b) low pass filtering; (c) high passfiltering; (d) notch filtering; (e) all pass filtering; and (f) bandstop filtering.
 49. The method of claim 8, wherein steps (1)-(3) areperformed such that said input signal is effectively filtered prior tobeing down-converted.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein filtering ofsteps (1)-(3) comprises narrow band filtering.
 51. The method of claim50, wherein filtering of steps (1)-(3) comprises channel selectfiltering.
 52. The method of claim 50, wherein said input signalcomprises a frequency greater than or equal to a radio frequency (RF).53. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:(4) tuning oneor more filter parameters.
 54. The method of claim 53, wherein saidfilter parameters are statically or dynamically tuned.
 55. The method ofclaim 53, wherein said filter parameters are electrically tuned.
 56. Themethod of claim 53, wherein step (4) comprises the step of:tuning atleast one of a filter center frequency, a filter bandwidth, and a filterpassband.
 57. The method of claim 53, wherein step (4) comprises thestep of:performing at least one of steps (i) and (ii) to tune said oneor more filter parameters:(i) adjusting at least one scale factor; and(ii) adjusting one or more characteristics of said control signal. 58.The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:(4) tuning one ormore frequency translation parameters.
 59. The method of claim 8,wherein in step (1) each input sample represents a portion of saiddown-converted image of said input signal, wherein step (2) comprisesdelaying said each input sample, and step (3) comprises combining saiddelayed each input sample with at least one delayed instance of theoutput signal, at least steps (1) and (2) operating to down-convert saidinput signal, and at least steps (2) and (3) operating to filter saidinput signal.
 60. The method of claim 8, further comprising the stepsof:(4) further delaying one or more of said delayed and down-convertedinput samples; wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating adown-converted and filtered output signal from at least one or more ofsaid delayed and down-converted input samples, said further delayed anddown-converted input samples, and delayed instances of the outputsignal.
 61. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:(4)delaying instances of the output signal; (5) further delaying one ormore of said delayed output signal instances; wherein step (3) comprisesthe step of generating a down-converted and filtered output signal fromat least one or more of said delayed and down-converted input samples,said delayed instances of the output signal, and said further delayedoutput signal instances.
 62. The method of claim 8, further comprisingthe steps of:(4) scaling one or more of said delayed and down-convertedinput samples; wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating adown-converted and filtered output signal from at least one or more ofsaid delayed and down-converted input samples, said scaled, delayed anddown-converted input samples, and delayed instances of the outputsignal.
 63. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:(4)scaling one or more of said delayed instance of the output signal;wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating a down-converted andfiltered output signal from at least one or more of said delayed anddown-converted input samples, said delayed instances of the outputsignal, and said scaled and delayed instances of the output signal. 64.The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:(4) furtherdelaying one or more of said delayed and down-converted input samples;(5) scaling one or more of said delayed and down-converted input samplesand one or more of said further delayed and down-converted inputsamples; (6) delaying instances of the output signal; (7) furtherdelaying one or more of said delayed output signal instances; (8)scaling one or more of said delayed instances of the output signal andone or more of said further delayed instances of the output signal;wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating a down-converted andfiltered output signal from at least a plurality of said delayed anddown-converted input samples, said scaled, delayed and down-convertedinput samples, said further delayed and down-converted input samples,said scaled further delayed and down-converted input samples, saiddelayed instances of the output signal, said scaled delayed instances ofthe output signal, said further delayed instances of the output signal,and said scaled further delayed instances of the output signal.
 65. Themethod of claim 66, wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating adown-converted and filtered output signal by combining at least saiddelayed and down-converted input samples, said scaled, delayed anddown-converted input samples, said further delayed and down-convertedinput samples, said scaled further delayed and down-converted inputsamples, said delayed instances of the output signal, said scaleddelayed instances of the output signal, said further delayed instancesof the output signal, and said scaled further delayed instances of theoutput signal.
 66. The method of claim 64, wherein scale factors ofsteps (5) and (8) are real numbers.
 67. The method of claim 66, whereinsaid scale factors are established to provide amplification.
 68. Themethod of claim 66, wherein said scale factors are established to atleast assist in setting at least one of: a filter parameter, and afrequency translation parameter.
 69. The method of claim 68, whereincharacteristics of said control signal are established to at leastassist in setting at least one of: a filter parameter; and a frequencytranslation parameter.
 70. The method of claim 69, wherein at least oneof said scale factors and characteristics of said control signal areelectrically tuned.
 71. The method of claim 69, wherein at least one ofsaid scale factors and characteristics of said control signal aredynamically adjusted.
 72. The method of claim 69, wherein at least oneof said scale factors and characteristics of said control signal arestatically adjusted.
 73. The method of claim 8, wherein delay factorsare established according to a selected filter transfer function. 74.The method of claim 8, wherein step (2) comprises the step of delayingan input sample by one time unit, and further comprising the stepsof:(4) delaying an instance of the output signal by one time unit; and(5) delaying said one time unit delayed output signal instance by anadditional time unit; wherein step (3) comprises the step of generatinga portion of a down-converted and filtered output signal from at leastsaid one time unit delayed input sample, said one time unit delayedoutput signal instance, and said additional time unit delayed outputsignal instance.
 75. The method of claim 74, further comprising the stepof:(6) scaling said one time unit delayed input sample, said one timeunit delayed output signal instance, and said additional time unitdelayed output signal instance; wherein step (3) comprises the step ofgenerating a portion of a down-converted and filtered output signal fromat least one or more of said scaled one time unit delayed input sample,said scaled one time unit delayed output signal instance, and saidscaled additional time unit delayed output signal instance.
 76. Themethod of claim 75, wherein scale factors of step (6) are real numbers.77. The method of claim 76, wherein steps (1)-(5) operate to band passfilter said input signal.
 78. The method of claim 76, further comprisingthe step of:(6) sampling and holding said output signal.
 79. The methodof claim 76, further comprising the step of:(6) smoothing said outputsignal.
 80. The method of claim 8, wherein step (2) comprises the stepof delaying an input sample by one time unit, and further comprising thesteps of:(4) delaying said one time unit delayed input sample by anadditional time unit; (5) delaying an instance of the output signal byone time unit; and (6) delaying said one time unit delayed output signalinstance by an additional time unit; wherein step (3) comprises the stepof generating a portion of a down-converted and filtered output signalfrom at least one or more of said additional time unit delayed inputsample, said one time unit delayed output signal instance, and saidadditional time unit delayed output signal instance.
 81. The method ofclaim 80, further comprising the step of:(7) scaling one or more of saidadditional time unit delayed input sample, said one time unit delayedoutput signal instance, and said additional time unit delayed outputsignal instance; wherein step (3) comprises the step of generating aportion of a down-converted and filtered output signal from at leastsaid scaled additional time unit delayed input sample, said scaled onetime unit delayed output signal instance, and said scaled additionaltime unit delayed output signal instance.
 82. The method of claim 81,wherein scale factors of step (7) are real numbers.
 83. The method ofclaim 80, wherein steps (1)-(6) operate to low pass filter said inputsignal.
 84. The method of claim 8, wherein said frequency of saiddown-converted image is substantially equal to zero.
 85. The method ofclaim 8, wherein said frequency of said down-converted image is equal toan intermediate frequency.
 86. The method of claim 8, wherein step (1)comprises the step of:(a) generating an energy transfer signalcomprising a train of pulses, said pulses controlling opening andclosing of a switch to transfer energy from said input signal.
 87. Themethod of claim 86, wherein step (a) comprises the step of establishingapertures of said pulses to increase the time that said switch is closedfor a purpose of reducing an impedance of said switch.
 88. The method ofclaim 86, wherein step (a) comprises the step of widening apertures ofsaid pulses of said energy transfer signal by a non-negligible amountthat tends away from zero time in duration to extend the time that saidswitch is closed for a purpose of increasing energy transferred fromsaid input signal.
 89. The method of claim 88, wherein said apertures ofsaid pulses of said energy transfer signal are one of (I) or (II):(I) anon-zero fraction of a period of said input signal; or (II) one or moreperiods of said input signal plus or minus a non-zero fraction of aperiod of said input signal.
 90. The method of claim 88, wherein energytransferred from said input signal is sufficient to drive loads withoutadditional buffering or amplification, including high impedance loadsand low impedance loads.
 91. The method of claim 88, wherein widening ofsaid apertures of said pulses by a non-negligible amount that tends awayfrom zero time in duration to extend the time that said switch is closedfor a purpose of increasing energy transferred from said input signalprevents substantial voltage reproduction of said input signal.
 92. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising the step of:matching an impedanceof said switch to a source impedance to increase energy transferred fromsaid input signal.
 93. The method of claim 8, further comprising thestep of:matching an impedance of said switch to a load impedance toincrease energy transferred from said input signal.
 94. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising the step of:transferring said input signalto said switch via a resonant circuit, said resonant circuit storingenergy from components of said input signal while said switch is open,and wherein energy stored in said resonant circuit is discharged viasaid switch while said switch is closed, to thereby increase energytransfer from said input signal.
 95. The method of claim 94, whereinsaid resonant circuit is configured to appear as high impedance to afirst range of frequencies including a frequency of said input signal,and configured to appear as a low impedance to a second range offrequencies including afrequency of said output signal, such thatpassage of components of said input signal in said first range offrequencies is impeded through said resonant circuit, and such thatpassage of components of said input signal in said second range offrequencies is not so impeded through said resonant circuit.
 96. Themethod of claim 8, wherein step (1) comprises the step of:(a) generatingan energy transfer signal comprising a train of pulses, said pulsescontrolling opening and closing of a switch to transfer energy from saidinput signal; wherein step (a) comprises the step of establishingapertures of said pulses to increase the time that said switch is closedfor a purpose of reducing an impedance of said switch; wherein step (a)comprises the step of widening apertures of said pulses of said energytransfer signal by a non-negligible amount that tends away from zerotime in duration to extend the time that said switch is closed for apurpose of increasing energy transferred from said input signal; whereinsaid apertures of said pulses of said energy transfer signal are one of(I) or (II):(I) a non-zero fraction of a period of said input signal; or(II) one or more periods of said input signal plus or minus a non-zerofraction of a period of said input signal; wherein energy transferredfrom said input signal is sufficient to drive loads without additionalbuffering or amplification, including high impedance loads and lowimpedance loads; and wherein widening of said apertures of said pulsesby a non-negligible amount that tends away from zero time in duration toextend the time that said switch is closed for a purpose of increasingenergy transferred from said input signal prevents substantial voltagereproduction of said input signal.
 97. The method of claim 96, furthercomprising the step of:matching an impedance of said switch to a sourceimpedance to increase energy transferred from said input signal.
 98. Themethod of claim 96, further comprising the step of:matching an impedanceof said switch to a load impedance to increase energy transferred fromsaid input signal.
 99. The method of claim 96, further comprising thestep of:transferring said input signal to said switch via a resonantcircuit, said resonant circuit storing energy from components of saidinput signal while said switch is open, and wherein energy stored insaid resonant circuit is discharged via said switch while said switch isclosed, to thereby increase energy transfer from said input signal. 100.The method of claim 99, wherein said resonant circuit is configured toappear as high impedance to a first range of frequencies including afrequency of said input signal, and configured to appear as a lowimpedance to a second range of frequencies including a frequency of saidoutput signal, such that passage of components of said input signal insaid first range of frequencies is impeded through said resonantcircuit, and such that passage of components of said input signal insaid second range of frequencies is not so impeded through said resonantcircuit.
 101. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said down-convert anddelay module comprises a universal frequency translation (UFT) module.102. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said down-convert and delaymodule comprises an aliasing module.
 103. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said frequency of said down-converted image is substantiallyequal to zero.
 104. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frequency ofsaid down-converted image is equal to an intermediate frequency. 105.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said down-convert and delay modulecomprises:a switch; and a storage module electrically coupled to saidswitch.
 106. The apparatus of claim 105, further comprising:an energytransfer signal generator that generates an energy transfer signalcomprising a train of pulses.
 107. The apparatus of claim 106, whereinsaid energy transfer signal generator establishes apertures of saidpulses to increase the time that said switch is closed for a purpose ofreducing an impedance of said switch.
 108. The apparatus of claim 106,wherein said energy transfer signal generator establishes apertures ofsaid pulses, said apertures being one of (I) or (II):(I) a non-zerofraction of a period of said input signal; or (II) one or more periodsof said input signal plus or minus a non-zero fraction of a period ofsaid input signal.
 109. The apparatus of claim 106, wherein said energytransfer signal generator widens apertures of said pulses of said energytransfer signal by a non-negligible amount that tends away from zerotime in duration to extend the time that said switch is closed for apurpose of increasing energy transferred from said input signal. 110.The apparatus of claim 109, wherein energy transferred from said inputsignal is sufficient to drive loads without additional buffering oramplification, including high impedance loads and low impedance loads.111. The apparatus of claim 109, wherein said energy transfer signalgenerator in widening said apertures of said pulses by a non-negligibleamount that tends away from zero time in duration to extend the timethat said switch is closed for the purpose of increasing energytransferred from said input signal does so at the expense of reproducingsaid input signal, such that said increased energy transferred from saidinput signal when said switch is closed in response to said energytransfer signal prevents substantial voltage reproduction of said inputsignal.
 112. The apparatus of claim 105, further comprising energytransfer optimization circuitry comprising one or more of (i), (ii), and(iii):(i) an input impedance matching circuit, electrically coupled tosaid switch, that matches a source impedance to an impedance of saidswitch so as to increase energy transferred from said input signal tosaid storage module via said switch when said switch is closed inresponse to said energy transfer signal; (ii) an output impedancematching circuit, electrically coupled to said switch, that matches aload impedance to an impedance of said switch so as to increase energydischarged from said storage module to a load when said switch is openin response to said energy transfer signal; and (iii) a resonant circuitcoupled between said switch and a source of said input signal, whereinsaid resonant circuit stores energy from components of said input signalwhile said switch is open in response to said energy transfer signal,and wherein energy stored in said resonant circuit is discharged to saidstorage module via said switch while said switch is closed in responseto said energy transfer signal, said storage module being of a sizesufficient to accommodate energy transferred via said switch includingenergy discharged from said resonant circuit.
 113. The apparatus ofclaim 112, wherein said resonant circuit is configured to appear as highimpedance to a first range of frequencies including a frequency of saidinput signal, and configured to appear as a low impedance to a secondrange of frequencies including a frequency of said output signal, suchthat passage of components of said input signal in said first range offrequencies is impeded through said resonant circuit, and such thatpassage of components of said input signal in said second range offrequencies is not so impeded through said resonant circuit.
 114. Theapparatus of claim 105, wherein said storage module stores energytransferred via said switch, including energy transferred from saidinput signal via said switch when said switch is closed in response tosaid energy transfer signal.
 115. The apparatus of claim 114, whereinsaid storage module is of a size sufficient to accommodate energytransferred via said switch, including energy transferred from saidinput signal via said switch when said switch is closed in response tosaid energy transfer signal.
 116. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidfilter performs narrow band filtering.
 117. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said filter performs channel select filtering.
 118. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said input signal is a radio frequency(RF) signal.
 119. The apparatus of claim 117, wherein said input signalcomprises a frequency greater than a radio frequency (RF).
 120. Theapparatus of claim 117, wherein said input signal comprises a frequencyless than a radio frequency (RF).
 121. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid filter performs wide band filtering.
 122. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said input signal comprises a frequency greater than or equal toa radio frequency (RF).
 123. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidinput signal is received via a communication medium.
 124. The apparatusof claim 123, wherein said communication medium comprises a wiredmedium.
 125. The apparatus of claim 123, wherein said communicationmedium comprises a wireless medium.
 126. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said input signal is an unmodulated signal.
 127. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein said input signal is a modulated signal.
 128. Theapparatus of claim 127, wherein said input signal is one of an amplitudemodulated signal, a frequency modulated signal, or a phase modulatedsignal.
 129. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said filter performs atleast one of: (a) band pass filtering; (b) low pass filtering; (c) highpass filtering; (d) notch filtering; (e) all pass filtering; and (f)band stop filtering.
 130. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidfrequency translator and said filter operate such that said input signalis effectively filtered prior to being down-converted.
 131. Theapparatus of claim 130, wherein said filter performs narrow bandfiltering.
 132. The apparatus of claim 131, wherein said filter performschannel select filtering.
 133. The apparatus of claim 131, wherein saidinput signal comprises a frequency greater than or equal to a radiofrequency (RF).
 134. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:filtertuning means for tuning one or more filter parameters.
 135. Theapparatus of claim 134, wherein said filter parameters are statically ordynamically tuned.
 136. The apparatus of claim 134, wherein said filterparameters are electrically tuned.
 137. The apparatus of claim 134,wherein at least one of a filter center frequency, a filter bandwidth,and a filter passband is tuned.
 138. The apparatus of claim 134, whereinsaid filter tuning means comprises:means for adjusting at least onescale factor or one or more characteristics of said control signal. 139.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:means for tuning one ormore frequency translation parameters.
 140. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising:one or more additional delay modules to further delayone or more of said delayed and down-converted input samples; whereinsaid adder generates a portion of an output signal from at least saiddelayed and down-converted input samples, said further delayed anddown-converted input samples, and delayed instances of the outputsignal.
 141. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the stepsof:one or more additional delay modules to further delay one or more ofsaid delayed output signal instances; wherein said adder generates aportion of an output signal from at least said delayed anddown-converted input samples, said delayed instances of the outputsignal, and said further delayed output signal instances.
 142. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising:one or more scale modules toscale one or more of said delayed and down-converted input samples;wherein said adder generates a portion of an output signal from at leastsaid delayed and down-converted input samples, said scaled, delayed anddown-converted input samples, and delayed instances of the outputsignal.
 143. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:one or morescale modules to scale one or more of said delayed instances of theoutput signal; wherein said adder generates a portion of an outputsignal from at least said delayed and down-converted input samples, saiddelayed instances of the output signal, and said scaled and delayedinstances of the output signal.
 144. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising:one or more additional delay modules to further delay atleast one of said delayed and down-converted input samples and saiddelayed output signal instances; one or more scale modules to scale atleast one of said delayed and down-converted input samples, said furtherdelayed and down-converted input samples, said delayed instances of theoutput signal, and said further delayed instances of the output signal;wherein said adder generates a portion of an output signal from at leasta plurality of said delayed and down-converted input samples, saidscaled, delayed and down-converted input samples, said further delayedand down-converted input samples, said scaled further delayed anddown-converted input samples, said delayed instances of the outputsignal, said scaled delayed instances of the output signal, said furtherdelayed instances of the output signal, and said scaled further delayedinstances of the output signal.
 145. The apparatus of claim 144, whereinscale factors of said scale modules are real numbers.
 146. The apparatusof claim 145, wherein said scale factors are established to provideamplification.
 147. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein said scalefactors are established to at least assist in setting at least one of: afilter parameter; and a frequency translation parameter.
 148. Theapparatus of claim 147, wherein characteristics of said control signalare established to at least assist in setting at least one of: a filterparameter, and a frequency translation parameter.
 149. The apparatus ofclaim 148, wherein at least one of said scale factors andcharacteristics of said control signal are electrically tuned.
 150. Theapparatus of claim 148, wherein at least one of said scale factors andcharacteristics of said control signal are dynamically adjusted. 151.The apparatus of claim 148, wherein at least one of said scale factorsand characteristics of said control signal are statically adjusted. 152.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein delay factors are establishedaccording to a selected filter transfer function.
 153. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said down-convert and delay module delays an inputsample by one time unit, and wherein said delay module delays an outputsignal instance by one time unit, and further comprising:at least oneadditional delay module to delay said one time unit delayed outputsignal instance by an additional time unit; wherein said adder generatesa portion of an output signal from at least said one time unit delayedinput sample, said one time unit delayed output signal instance, andsaid additional time unit delayed output signal instance.
 154. Theapparatus of claim 153, further comprising:at least one scale module toscale at least one of said one time unit delayed input sample, said onetime unit delayed output signal instance, and said additional time unitdelayed output signal instance; wherein said adder generates a portionof an output signal from at least said scaled one time unit delayedinput sample, said scaled one time unit delayed output signal instance,and said scaled additional time unit delayed output signal instance.155. The apparatus of claim 154, wherein scale factors of said scalemodule are real numbers.
 156. The apparatus of claim 153, wherein saidfilter operates to band pass filter said input signal.
 157. Theapparatus of claim 153, further comprising:an output smoothing module.158. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said down-convert and delaymodule delays an input sample by one time unit, and wherein said delaymodule delays an output signal instance by one time unit, and furthercomprising:a first additional delay module to delay said one time unitdelayed input sample by an additional time unit; a second additionaldelay module to delay said one time unit delayed output signal instanceby an additional time unit; wherein said adder generates a portion of anoutput signal from at least said additional time unit delayed inputsample, said one time unit delayed output signal instance, and saidadditional time unit delayed output signal instance.
 159. The apparatusof claim 158, further comprising:at least one scale module to scale atleast one of said additional time unit delayed input sample, said onetime unit delayed output signal instance, and said additional time unitdelayed output signal instance; wherein said adder generates a portionof an output signal from at least said scaled additional time unitdelayed input sample, said scaled one time unit delayed output signalinstance, and said scaled additional time unit delayed output signalinstance.
 160. The apparatus of claim 159, wherein scale factors of saidscale module are real numbers.
 161. The apparatus of claim 158, whereinsaid filter operates to low pass filter said input signal.
 162. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein said frequency translator comprises auniversal frequency translation (UFT) module.
 163. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein said frequency of said down-converted image is one of:(i) substantially equal to zero; or (ii) equal to an intermediatefrequency.
 164. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said frequencytranslator comprises:a switch; and a storage module electrically coupledto said switch.
 165. The apparatus of claim 164, further comprising:anenergy transfer signal generator that generates an energy transfersignal comprising a train of pulses, said pulses controlling opening andclosing of said switch, said energy transfer signal generatorestablishing apertures of said pulses to increase the time that saidswitch is closed to reduce an impedance of said switch, and to increaseenergy transferred from said input signal.
 166. The apparatus of claim164, further comprising energy transfer optimization circuitry thatincreases energy transferred from said input signal, said energytransfer optimization circuitry comprising one or more of (i), (ii), and(iii):(i) an input impedance matching circuit, electrically coupled tosaid switch, that matches a source impedance to an impedance of saidswitch so as to increase energy transferred from said input signal tosaid storage module via said switch when said switch is closed inresponse to said energy transfer signal; (ii) an output impedancematching circuit, electrically coupled to said switch, that matches aload impedance to an impedance of said switch so as to increase energydischarged from said storage module to a load when said switch is openin response to said energy transfer signal; and (iii) a resonant circuitcoupled between said switch and a source of said input signal, whereinsaid resonant circuit stores energy from components of said input signalwhile said switch is open in response to said energy transfer signal,and wherein energy stored in said resonant circuit is discharged to saidstorage module via said switch while said switch is closed in responseto said energy transfer signal, said storage module being of a sizesufficient to accommodate energy transferred via said switch includingenergy discharged from said resonant circuit.
 167. The apparatus ofclaim 166, wherein said resonant circuit is configured to appear as highimpedance to a first range of frequencies including a frequency of saidinput signal, and configured to appear as a low impedance to a secondrange of frequencies including a frequency of said output signal, suchthat passage of components of said input signal in said first range offrequencies is impeded through said resonant circuit, and such thatpassage of components of said input signal in said second range offrequencies is not so impeded through said resonant circuit.
 168. Theapparatus of claim 164, wherein said storage module is of a sizesufficient to accommodate energy transferred via said switch, includingsaid increased energy transferred from said input signal via said switchwhen said switch is closed in response to said energy transfer signal.169. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said frequency translator andsaid filter operate such that said input signal is effectively filteredprior to being down-converted.
 170. The apparatus of claim 169, whereinsaid filter performs narrow band filtering.
 171. The apparatus of claim170, wherein said input signal comprises a frequency greater than orequal to a radio frequency (RF).
 172. The apparatus of claim 6, furtherincluding means for tuning one or more filter and frequency translationparameters.
 173. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said down-convert anddelay module comprises a universal frequency translation (UFT) module.174. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said frequency of saiddown-converted image is one of: (i) substantially equal to zero; or (ii)equal to an intermediate frequency.
 175. The apparatus of claim 7,wherein said down-convert and delay module comprises:a switch; and astorage module electrically coupled to said switch.
 176. The apparatusof claim 175, further comprising:an energy transfer signal generatorthat generates an energy transfer signal comprising a train of pulses,said pulses controlling opening and closing of said switch, said energytransfer signal generator establishing apertures of said pulses toincrease the time that said switch is closed to reduce an impedance ofsaid switch, and to increase energy transferred from said input signal.177. The apparatus of claim 175, further comprising energy transferoptimization circuitry that increases energy transferred from said inputsignal, said energy transfer optimization circuitry comprising one ormore of (i), (ii), and (iii):(i) an input impedance matching circuit,electrically coupled to said switch, that matches a source impedance toan impedance of said switch so as to increase energy transferred fromsaid input signal to said storage module via said switch when saidswitch is closed in response to said energy transfer signal; (ii) anoutput impedance matching circuit, electrically coupled to said switch,that matches a load impedance to an impedance of said switch so as toincrease energy discharged from said storage module to a load when saidswitch is open in response to said energy transfer signal; and (iii) aresonant circuit coupled between said switch and a source of said inputsignal, wherein said resonant circuit stores energy from components ofsaid input signal while said switch is open in response to said energytransfer signal, and wherein energy stored in said resonant circuit isdischarged to said storage module via said switch while said switch isclosed in response to said energy transfer signal, said storage modulebeing of a size sufficient to accommodate energy transferred via saidswitch including energy discharged from said resonant circuit.
 178. Theapparatus of claim 177, wherein said resonant circuit is configured toappear as high impedance to a first range of frequencies including afrequency of said input signal, and configured to appear as a lowimpedance to a second range of frequencies including a frequency of saidoutput signal, such that passage of components of said input signal insaid first range of frequencies is impeded through said resonantcircuit, and such that passage of components of said input signal insaid second range of frequencies is not so impeded through said resonantcircuit.
 179. The apparatus of claim 175, wherein said storage module isof a size sufficient to accommodate energy transferred via said switch,including said increased energy transferred from said input signal viasaid switch when said switch is closed in response to said energytransfer signal.
 180. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein saiddown-convert and delay module, said at least one delay module, and saidadder operate such that said input signal is effectively filtered priorto being down-converted.
 181. The apparatus of claim 180, wherein saiddown-convert and delay module, said at least one delay module, and saidadder perform narrow band filtering.
 182. The apparatus of claim 181,wherein said input signal comprises a frequency greater than or equal toa radio frequency (RF).
 183. The apparatus of claim 7, further includingmeans for tuning one or more filter and frequency translationparameters.
 184. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said frequencytranslator comprises a universal frequency translation (UFT) module.185. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said frequency of saiddown-converted image is one of: (i) substantially equal to zero; or (ii)equal to an intermediate frequency.
 186. The apparatus of claim 34,wherein said frequency translator comprises:a switch; and a storagemodule electrically coupled to said switch.
 187. The apparatus of claim183, further comprising:an energy transfer signal generator thatgenerates an energy transfer signal comprising a train of pulses, saidpulses controlling opening and closing of said switch, said energytransfer signal generator establishing apertures of said pulses toincrease the time that said switch is closed to reduce an impedance ofsaid switch, and to increase energy transferred from said input signal.188. The apparatus of claim 186, farther comprising energy transferoptimization circuitry that increases energy transferred from said inputsignal, said energy transfer optimization circuitry comprising one ormore of (i), (ii), and (iii):(i) an input impedance matching circuit,electrically coupled to said switch, that matches a source impedance toan impedance of said switch so as to increase energy transferred fromsaid input signal to said storage module via said switch when saidswitch is closed in response to said energy transfer signal; (ii) anoutput impedance matching circuit, electrically coupled to said switch,that matches a load impedance to an impedance of said switch so as toincrease energy discharged from said storage module to a load when saidswitch is open in response to said energy transfer signal; and (iii) aresonant circuit coupled between said switch and a source of said inputsignal, wherein said resonant circuit stores energy from components ofsaid input signal while said switch is open in response to said energytransfer signal, and wherein energy stored in said resonant circuit isdischarged to said storage module via said switch while said switch isclosed in response to said energy transfer signal, said storage modulebeing of a size sufficient to accommodate energy transferred via saidswitch including energy discharged from said resonant circuit.
 189. Theapparatus of claim 188, wherein said resonant circuit is configured toappear as high impedance to a first range of frequencies including afrequency of said input signal, and configured to appear as a lowimpedance to a second range of frequencies including a frequency of saidoutput signal, such that passage of components of said input signal insaid first range of frequencies is impeded through said resonantcircuit, and such that passage of components of said input signal insaid second range of frequencies is not so impeded through said resonantcircuit.
 190. The apparatus of claim 186, wherein said storage module isof a size sufficient to accommodate energy transferred via said switch,including said increased energy transferred from said input signal viasaid switch when said switch is closed in response to said energytransfer signal.
 191. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said frequencytranslator and said filter operate such that said input signal iseffectively filtered prior to being down-converted.
 192. The apparatusof claim 191, wherein said filter performs narrow band filtering. 193.The apparatus of claim 192, wherein said input signal comprises afrequency greater than or equal to a radio frequency (RF).
 194. Theapparatus of claim 34, further including means for tuning one or morefilter and frequency translation parameters.